Russian forces have been fighting running battles with Chechen rebels fleeing Grozny.

Particularly fierce exchanges have been reported around the Argun gorge to the south of the city. The Russian army said it had trapped hundreds of rebels in the towns of Shaami-Yurt and Katyr-Yurt.

Three hundred rebels have already been killed over the last two days in the two towns, 30km (18 miles) southeast of Grozny, according to the military. There is no independent confirmation of these reports.

"In the nearest time you will hear about the termination of the military phase of the operation and the destruction of militant gangs in the foothills and the mountains," Colonel General Viktor Kazantsev told reporters in Khankala, on Grozny's eastern outskirts.

Click here for map of the area

Russian army sources say that there are 300 Chechen fighters still in Grozny.

Acting President Vladimir Putin has vowed to destroy all "bandit groups" before the Russian presidential election on 26 March, which he is favourite to win.

"The bandits have been taught a significant lesson, we have inflicted serious damage which will be difficult to repair. We can talk about a breakthrough in this context," Mr Putin said.

Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Rushailo and other senior Russian officials have left for Chechnya on a fact-finding mission.

The delegation will visit Russia's operational headquarters in Khankala.

Russian troops and Chechen rebels were fighting for control of the Argun gorge as the rebels headed for mountain hideouts to the south, with both sides claiming the upper hand.

Some 5,000 to 8,000 Chechen fighters are thought to be already in the mountains, which border Georgia.

Food aid

In Grozny, the authorities are trying to clear thousands of mines planted by Chechen rebels.

Russian military authorities are giving food aid to Grozny residents who have spent the last five months cowering in cellars to escape the fighting, while emergency officials said more help was on the way.

Nonetheless, more than 1,000 refugees a day are still crossing from Chechnya to neighboring Ingushetia, according to the UNHCR.

On Monday, a total of 1,115 people left Chechnya although the border was open only for two hours, UNHCR spokesman Ron Redmond said.

Of the new arrivals, 500 came from the Urus-Martan district.

Meanwhile, 446 people crossed back into areas of Chechnya where there is no fighting.

Up to 180,000 Chechen refugees are still estimated to be in Ingushetia.

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