At least 44 people were killed in this morning's attacks by Chechen rebels on police and army buildings in the southern town of Nalchik.
It is understood 12 civilians, 12 police and about 20 militants were among the dead.
Officials have said two small groups of fighters are holed up in a police station and in a shop and are holding small numbers of hostages.
Nalchik is the regional capital of the Russian republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, a Muslim region that borders the North Ossetia province.
Last year, Chechen militants attacked a school in the North Ossietian town of Beslan, resulting in the deaths of 331 people, half of whom were children.
Earlier, a Chechen rebel website said its rebels, as well as local Islamic militants, were responsible for this morning's attacks.
