18 Dead as Rebels Ambush Russians

In the first major attack outside the breakaway republic in months, rebel gunmen ambushed a Russian troop convoy Thursday in an area west of Chechnya, killing 18 soldiers, the military said.

Federal officials warned that the raid signaled the Chechens’ intention to expand their fight to other Russian territories, and they urged more police control over regions bordering Chechnya.

Meanwhile, Moscow succeeded in avoiding punitive action from the Council of Europe, which has criticized Russia’s treatment of civilians in Chechnya. Russia promised to investigate reported human rights violations and allow international organizations into Chechnya.

In the latest attack, the convoy was traveling past woods in the Russian republic of Ingushetia when gunmen opened fire with automatic weapons and grenade launchers, Russian military investigators said.

Sixteen soldiers were killed immediately, two died on the way to a hospital and three were wounded. The unit had finished its tour and the men were heading home when they were attacked, the military said. It was unclear whether any of the assailants were harmed.