Russia’s defence minister today hailed the killing of Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev as a just retribution to “our bin Laden", but said that his death did not mean an end to the fight against rebels.

Former Chechen President Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev, who is wanted by Russia over terrorism allegations, was killed today in a car explosion in the Qatari capital Doha, a doctor said.