Russian Apologizes in Accidental Bombing of Chechen Village
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GROZNY, Russia — The commander of Russian troops in Chechnya issued a rare public apology Friday after an “unauthorized” bombing killed at least nine civilians in a Chechen village that had signed a peace accord with Russia.
Gen. Vyacheslav Tikhomirov, the top Russian commander in Chechnya, told Interfax news agency Friday that a Russian aircraft had accidentally released the bomb over its own troop positions Thursday, killing servicemen and local people.
The incident occurred just five days after the village of Katr-Yurt signed a pact with Russian forces, agreeing to clear out separatist fighters.
Such an apology is virtually unprecedented in the 16-month war, which has killed up to 30,000 people, most of them civilians.
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