Chechnya blast kills 17 soldiers

ISN SECURITY WATCH (Wednesday, 8 February: 13.40 CET) – At least 17 soldiers have been killed and dozens wounded in Chechnya when a Defense Ministry force based in the Kurchaloi district collapsed due in an explosion, news agencies reported.

The cause of the explosion is not unknown, though reports cited police as saying the blast could have been caused by gas. No traces of explosives have yet been found, according to Russian media.

The base houses Chechen troops serving in the pro-Russian security force.

Russian and pro-Russian Chechen forces are frequent targets of Chechen rebels fighting against Moscow’s rule since 1994.