Thousands of Russian soldiers backed by tanks swept into Chechnya this afternoon taking control of at least five villages near the breakaway Republic's border. It is reported that they have not met any resistance. Russian Prime Minister, Vladamir Putin announced meanwhile that Moscow no longer recognises Chechen independence and reserves the right to station its troops in any part of the Republic as it hunts for suspected Islamic rebels. Russia launched an air offensive against the separatist state early last month. It believes that Chechnya is harbouring terrorists suspected of organising invasions of neighbouring Dagestan and a wave of recent bombing across Russia.
