But a spokesman for acting Russian President Vladimir Putin said the general's body had been recovered in the area where he was killed in battle. He said the body had been found wtih bullet holes in it. There has been no independent confirmation of the Kremlin's annoucement. Correspondents say there is little doubt that the Chechen claim to have captured a Russian general was an added propaganda blow in what is proving to be a difficult campaign. Hoisting the Russian flag General Malofeyev is the first Russian general to be killed in action after federal forces entered Chechnya last October.
Fierce fighting is reported to be continuing in the capital of the breakaway republic.
In one residential area of the city, Chechen militiamen fighting on the Russian side hoisted a flag to demonstrate their control of the district. But a BBC correspondent on the border of Chechnya and Ingushetia said Russia's control over the city is extremely limited, nearly a week after federal troops launched what they called their decisive assault. Slow progress Troops trying to advance into the centre of the city admit that their progress is still painfully slow. The advance is being met with strong rebel resistance, according to military sources who say progress is measured in hundreds of metres - any advance of more than 300 metres a day is considered a success. Russian forces earlier claimed to have made an important breakthrough in capturing the large Chechen village of Vedeno, the home of Chechen field commander, Shamil Basayov.