Russia: March 18, 2003

Archives

Chechen rebel leader Shamil Basayev has ordered his people to launch terrorist acts against Russian troops being withdrawn from the republic. In particular, they have been assigned the mission to blow up Russian trains. All of the trains are escorted by armored trains and fire support helicopters. Rebels armed with portable SAM systems are also planning to destroy helicopters at their bases or in the mountains (where the rebel base camps are), while sappers have already prevented two blasts on the railway. - Adam Geibel