41.   They said the attack began at dawn with rebels surrounding most Russian outposts and administrative buildings in the city and spraying them with gunfire.

42.   There was also an hour-long exchange of gunfire at dawn Friday between a another Chechen border checkpoint and a Russian outpost in Dagestan, Interfax said.

43.   They said the attack began at dawn with rebels surrounding most of the Russian outposts and administrative buildings in the city and spraying them with gunfire.

44.   Given the recent fighting in Dagestan, the complete lack of Russian military outposts in the snow-covered plains is stunning.

45.   According to Yelena Agapova, a spokeswoman for the Russian minister, Grachev is due Thursday to visit a Russian outpost before moving on to Belgrade.

46.   The minister was to stay in Ugljevik overnight and was expected to visit a Russian outpost early Thursday before flying to Belgrade, a defence ministry spokeswoman said.