Russia announced a suspension of aerial and artillery attacks on Grozny, capital of the breakaway republic of Chechnya, the Itar-Tass news agency reported on January 7.

The suspension was made following the detonation by Chechen rebels of mines with toxic agents, Tass said, citing Lieutenant General Gennady Troshev, a deputy commander with the federal military group in North Caucusus.

Although the move could be a setback from a military point of view, it was designated to protect the civilians trapped in Grozny,he said.

However, the military operation against rebels will continue inother parts of Grozny where there are no civilian presence.