Moscow: Nine Russian soldiers were killed and six injured in an ambush by Chechen rebels in Southern Chechnya, officials said.

An Army truck carrying Russian troops was hit by a landmine and later fired at by ultras on the Shatoi- Itum Kala highway on July 12 evening, they said.

The troops had been returning after a reconnaissance mission in the mountains of Southern Chechnya, where many rebels groups are present, the Interfax news agency reported.

Meanwhile, Chechen rebels have claimed that over 90 Russian soldiers were killed by them in the last week alone, reports said.

However, the Russian Defence Ministry declined to comment on the ultras' claim, but confirmed the July 12 ambush.

PTI