Troops are "carrying out the task of closing and tightening the circle around the Chechen capital," the Government press office said.

"But the psychological effect of the rebel assault on the Chechen capital cannot be disputed."

A passenger bus hits a remote-controlled land mine in the Chechen capital, killing at least 8.

The bomb attack was among the worst terrorist acts this year in the bomb-scarred Chechen capital.

Russian troops had not secured the Chechen capital of Grozny by year's end.

Getting into the Chechen capital these days is difficult.

Those peace talks began today in Grozny, the Chechen capital.

The talks in Grozny, the Chechen capital, appeared to grow even more precarious this week.

The halt appears to be prelude to an even more furious assault on the Chechen capital.

Although many people have thought it was not possible, the fighting for the Chechen capital keeps worsening.