"The latest reports say six servicemen were killed and 15 received injuries when a Russian Defense Ministry column came under fire in the Shali district of Chechnya," said Vyacheslav Sedov, head of the Defense Ministry's press service.
Unknown gunmen opened fire with grenade launchers and automatic weapons at the convoy, which was returning from a reconnaissance mission, at a distance of 15-20 meters (65 feet) just 500 meters (1,640 feet) from the village of Avtury.
An armored vehicle and a Ural truck were destroyed.
This was one of the most brutal attacks on federal troops and police in the troubled North Caucasus republic in months. Since the last military campaign against separatists in 1999, Moscow has considerably cut federal contingents in Chechnya and handed over power to ensure security to loyal Chechens.
