Heavily armed federal forces closed in on the settlement of Chabanmakhi located around 30 kilometres from the Dagestani capital Makhachkala.

The operation follows the storming of two other villages in the Buinaksk region on Wednesday. Russian troops moved into Karamakhi and Kadar after several days of artillery bombardment and air strikes on rebel positions.

Russian NTV later reported that the situation around these villages was not completely controlled by Moscow's forces. Casualties from sniper fire and isolated skirmishes were reported, senior Russian commanders said on Thursday.