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The Russian Military says it will retaliate for a Chechen rebel ambush that killed 18 government soldiers. As VOA’s Peter Collins reports from Moscow, the attack is the worst in many months and threatens to derail the shaky peace process in Chechenya: "The Russian joint-command in Chechenya is urging civilians to leave the southern area of Vidinor where the ambush took place Tuesday. Details of the attack began emerging Wednesday when Russian TV showed the bodies of 18 Russian servicemen killed. Five more were captured and seven wounded making the rebel attack the worst since a cease fire agreement in late July.
     Russian forces have launched an operation to recover the captured soldiers and military authorities say the rebels responsible will be, in their words, adequately punished. The incident began when a Russian armored car collided with a civilian vehicle. During an investigation of who was to blame, Chechen rebels are said to have opened fire on Russian soldiers. Government reinforcements were then ambushed on their way to the scene. Military officials are quoted as saying the attack could have a major impact on the intermittent peace talks that have followed the cease fire.