IN CHECHNYA:

Three Russian soldiers were officially reported killed yesterday in Bamut, which — as it now transpires — the Chechen fighters never left but remained entrenched in underground bunkers in part of the village. In Grozny, the local OMON broke up a July 26 a pro-independence rally, killing two female participants. The Chechen resistance official responsible for foreign relations, Ruslam Chimaev, yesterday issued another appeal to the UN, the OSCE, and foreign governments to "intercede in the defense of the peaceful Chechen population." (Russian and Western agencies, July 26 through 28)

Accused Russian Spy Confesses.