Six policemen and nine militants were killed in separate shootings Wednesday in the North Caucasus, police said.
Four policemen were killed and three wounded in the Dagestani village of Kostek during a siege that left five militants dead, regional police spokesman Vyacheslav Gasanov said. Police found weapons and explosives in the apartment where the rebels were hiding, he said.
In a separate incident, four gunmen were killed after they refused police orders to pull over and opened fire on the officers, Gasanov said.
Two policemen died in further attacks — one in Dagestan and another in the nearby Kabardino-Balkaria province.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.