14:27, 3 January 2004

Rescuers in Dagestan find body of soldier, lost last week

Rescuers of the Dagestani Ministry for Emergencies found in mountains the body of soldier Vitaly Zinovyev, lost on December 27, a duty officer of the Dagestani Ministry for Emergencies reported on January 2.

Six rescuers, headed by Colonel Gadzhimurad Abdulatipov, were looking for three soldiers, lost during an army operation to destroy the armed gang which had broken into the Tsuntinsky district of the Dagestani Republic. The search for the missing was conducted with a helicopter in a deep gorge near the villages of Tanzeli and Metrada.

According to available information, the soldiers were in ambush, waiting for gunmen. One of them rolled down into the gorge, as a result of a careless move. The rest tried to help their comrade, but also plunged into the abyss.

The group discontinued the search for the other missing on Friday, since there is no hope that they are still alive. According to preliminary data, the soldier, found in deep snow, died from supercooling.

Editors note: See also the article "Operation to eliminate rebel group in Dagestan completed".

Source: ITAR-TASS News Agency