The bloodletting near Chechnya continues. Early Friday morning, Russian special forces stormed a police station in southern Russia where eight rebels were holding five hostages. Russian officials claim the hostages, including police officers, were freed and all eight rebels were killed as they tried to flee in a van. This was the latest in a 24-hour string of bloody battles and the death toll could top 100. On Thursday morning, large groups of gunmen assaulted government buildings, telecommunications facilities and the airport. in the city of Nalchik. Chechen rebels claimed responsibility for the attacks.