The Russian government officially denied military involvement in the operation, but openly supported the Provisional Council. The attack ended in a decisive failure, with hundreds of militiamen being killed or captured, in addition to 70 Russians killed and 35 to 120 captured. Dudayev threatened to execute the prisoners in an attempt to get an admission from Russia in regards to their involvement, prompting the government in Moscow to demand that Armed forces of Ichkeria free the captives and lay down their arms within 48 hours or face military intervention. The incident led to the large-scale military invasion of the republic that began in December 1994.