Terrorist act in Grozny leaves 6 dead

President of Chechnya Akhmad Kadyrov and an 8-year-old girl have been killed in the terrorist act in Grozny.

Chairman of the State Council of the Chechen Republic Hussein Isayev, journalist Adlan Khasanov and two of Kadyrov's guards were killed as well, said Taus Dzhabrailov, Chechen Nationalities Minister.

According to the latest information, 63 persons have been injured. Colonel-General Valery Baranov, commander of the Joint Group of Forces in the North Caucasus, is heavily wounded.

The general had to undergo a most difficult surgical operation, Vladimir Yakovlev, President Putin's envoy in the Southern Federal District, told newsmen. "A leg had to be amputated - Baranov's health condition is grave," he said.

The duties of the commander of the Joint Group of Forces will temporarily be performed by Deputy Interior Minister Mikhail Pankov, who heads the Main Department for the Southern Federal District at Russia's Interior Ministry, a RIA Novosti correspondent was told at the Interior Ministry.

Among those wounded is also the military commandant of Chechnya, Grigory Fomenko.

An explosive device was set off at the Dynamo Stadium in Grozny at 10:35 a.m., when Victory Day celebrations were in progress. Many people had come to attend the festivities - practically no vacant seats remained in the stands.

"The Victory Day is a uniting holiday for all the peoples of Russia and for the peoples of the former USSR republics," Kadyrov told those present in his speech. He wished good health to the war veterans and a peaceful life to all people of Chechnya. The official part was followed by a concert, during which an explosive device was set off.

Akhmad Kadyrov left undefeated, President of Russia Vladimir Putin said during his meeting in Moscow with Ramzan Kadyrov, the son of the deceased president of Chechnya.

"Kadyrov was assassinated on May 9, when we celebrated our common holiday, the Victory Day, and he left undefeated," Putin said.

"He was a real hero. He proved in a most convincing way by all his activities that bandits, terrorists cannot be equated with the whole people," President Putin stressed.

Kadyrov's body will be taken to Tsentoroi, his native village, a RIA Novosti correspondent was told in the administration of the President of Chechnya. He will be buried on May 10.

In accordance with the Constitution of the Chechen Republic, the duties of the head of the Administration of Chechnya will be performed by Sergei Abramov, chairman of the republican government, until early elections are held.

Editors note: See also the article "Akhmad Kadyrov killed in explosion in Grozny".