Heavy fighting in Chechnya

VLADIKAVKAZ, Russia -- Russia forces have launched a major operation in southern Chechnya.

The military operation involving aircraft and heavy guns against the Vedeno district came as Chechen rebels claimed the lives of nine Russian servicemen in explosions and hit-and-run attacks over 24 hours.

Rebels fired on Russian outposts 12 times since Saturday morning, killing four servicemen and wounding 10, a Russian official said.

In Grozny, the regional capital, rebels attacked Russian troops in an armoured personnel carrier with grenade launchers and small arms, killing one and wounding one.

Also in Grozny, one soldier was killed and another wounded as they detonated an explosive device, the official said.

Two servicemen were killed when their jeeps hit land mines, the official said.

Meanwhile, more than 80 suspected rebels have been detained in security sweeps in the Shali and Urus-Martan districts.

Earlier this month, five Russian servicemen were killed after their armoured vehicle struck a mine outside the capital Grozny.

According to official figures, more than 3,200 Russian troops and 12,700 rebels have been killed since Moscow launched its second post-Soviet campaign against separatists in October 1999.

Russian officials insist they have the republic almost under control, but militants continue to inflict daily casualties in hit-and-run attacks on the Russian army and with land mines.

Russian troops retreated from Chechnya after a 1994-1996 war.

Russian forces returned in 1999 after rebel incursions into neighbouring Dagestan and apartment-house bombings in Russian cities blamed on Chechen rebels that killed more than 300 people.