The Russian military truck was travelling towards the village of Galashki, in the republic of Ingushetia on Chechnya's western border, when it was blown up by a remote-controlled explosive device often used against federal troops by rebel guerrillas, the report said.

Channel One said authorities had labeled the attack an act of terrorism, and opened a criminal inquiry.

Official statistics vary but up to 5,000 Russian troops and about 15,000 rebels are believed to have died since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the war in Chechnya while still serving as prime minister in October

The violence often spills over into the neighboring republics of Ingushetia and Dagestan, where Chechens have large diasporas and enjoy widespread support.

WAR.WIRE