Russian troops killed at least 22 rebels in separatist Chechnya Monday, including a man officials said was linked to the assassination of Chechnya’s pro-Moscow president, media reported. Akhmad Kadyrov was killed on May 9 in a bomb attack that damaged President Vladimir Putin’s peace plan for the Muslim province. Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev later claimed responsibility for the assault. Ramzan Kadyrov, the killed leader’s son, said special troops had infiltrated a rebel base in Chechnya’s turbulent Vedensky region and killed 22 militants in a brief gun battle.Full Story