In Chechnya, Russian commando operations in Grozny and the southern mountains killed 16 rebels and seized a large quantity of weapons and ammunition. Meanwhile, auditors found out that three million dollars in government aid to Chechnya has been embezzled. Corruption has long been a problem in Russia, and particularly in Caucasus areas like Chechnya.
Russia does not agree with US president Bush calling Iran, Iraq and North Korea an "axis of terror." Russia has long had trading relationships with all three nations, especially as a customer for Russian weapons exports. .