Maskhadov Wounded In Firefight?

Moskovsky komsomolets reported on January 6–quoting an unnamed separatist website–that Aslan Maskhadov, president of Chechnya’s underground separatist government, had been wounded in a firefight with federal troops and Chechen police. According to separatist sources, the battle took place recently in the Nozhai-Yurt district in eastern Chechnya. The Russian forces are said to have learned about Maskhadov’s movements and to have set up an ambush. But according to the separatist account, the rebel unit accompanying the secessionist president managed to escape, although two of its members were killed. Maskhadov reportedly took part in the action himself, firing from his assault rifle, and was lightly wounded.