Seven Russian soldiers and three policemen were killed in rebel attacks in Chechnya, an official in the Kremlin-backed Chechen administration said.

Russian soldiers in in the breakaway region of Chechnya have opened fire on a passenger bus, killing its driver and wounding four passengers, officials said today.

Russian President Vladimir Putin today ordered a constitutional referendum to be held in Chechnya, hoping it will help bring peace and stability to the war-ravaged region.