Russian troops have launched large-scale operations against separatist rebels throughout Chechnya, Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov has announced. He said he had information that more terror attacks were being planned inside and outside Chechen territory. As he spoke, nine Russian servicemen died on board a military helicopter that crashed in Chechnya. According to the Russian military, the Mi-8 helicopter was shot down by the rebels near Grozny. This is the second helicopter lost by the Russian army in less than a week. On Tuesday another Mi-8 was shot down in Chechnya with the loss of four lives.