Russia's military says hundreds of rebels were killed in the fighting, with only dozens of federal casualties. The report could not be independently confirmed. The reports said Russia's military expects more than 100-rebels still inside the village to surrender shortly. Russia's military had previously claimed to have seized control of Komsomolskoye, but rebel resistance continued. Chechen rebels are inflicting increasingly heavy casualties on Russian troops as they move into the mountains where guerrilla combat is easier.
Russian warplanes continue to target rebel positions in the mountains.
Russian officials had said the war in Chechnya could be over before presidential elections March 26th. But rebels have vowed to carry on with their fight against Russian troops, often attacking federal positions far inside Russian-controlled territory.