Grozny, 16 December 1996 (RFE/RL) -- Russian news reports say 22 Russian Interior Ministry troops being held hostage by Chechen separatists will be released tomorrow.
Interfax quotes Rashid Isayev, the head of the internal affairs department in neighboring Dagestan's Khasavyurt region, as saying the 22 Russian soldiers will be handed over to Dagestani authorities tomorrow.
Isayev said an agreement to release the troops was reached during a two-hour meeting today between Dagestani officials and Chechen field commander Salman Raduyev, who is holding the hostages.