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Russian generals killed in Chechnya
January 27, 2002 Posted: 11:27 AM EST (1627 GMT)
Chechen separatists are fighting for independence from Russia
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VLADIKAVKAZ, Russia (CNN) -- Investigators are trying to determine what caused a helicopter flying over Chechnya to crash on Sunday, killing at least 14 people on board, including Russia's deputy interior minister, Kremlin officials have said.
The government is calling the incident a terrorist act, based on a preliminary probe which indicates the helicopter was shot down by a surface-to-air missile.
In addition to Deputy Interior Minister Mikhail Rudchenko, the victims include a number of Russian military officers, including Major General Davydov, deputy commander for the Russian forces in Chechnya.
The helicopter left from Russia's military base in Grozny, the Chechen capital, and was heading to the neighbouring republic of North Ossetia, when it crashed at about 11.30 am local time.
CNN's Matthew Chance said details were still "sketchy" but it appeared to be an "extremely serious setback" for Russia in its fight against Chechen rebels.
Initial reports had said the helicopter had exploded in mid-air but later investigators at the scene indicated it had been shot down by a missile fired from the ground.
Chance added, that Chechen rebels were being held responsible for the incident and that they would see it as a "blow" against Russia.
But no word has come from the rebels, though they do not tend to comment on individual attacks.
Russian forces are battling rebels in Chechnya, a mostly Muslim republic, who are fighting for a separate state.
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RELATED STORIES:
• Russia; Chechen rebels killed
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