Russian police have detained several dozen people believed to be involved with the Chechen rebels who took 800 people hostage in a Moscow theater last week.
Russian forces stormed the theater and killed the rebels early Saturday after pumping an unidentified gas into the building. About 50 rebels were killed -- along with about 120 hostages, almost all of whom died from the effects of the gas.
Authorities have not said what type of gas was used, but U-S embassy officials say it was an opium-based substance. About 300 surviving hostages remain hospitalized, recovering from its effects.
Some Russian politicians are demanding a parliamentary inquiry into authorities' handling of the crisis. The U-S ambassador in Moscow, Alexander Vershbow, said some of the hostages who died might have survived if Russian authorities had provided more information (to doctors) about the type of gas used.
Chechen separatists today (Tuesday) shot down a Russian military helicopter in Chechnya, killing all four people on board. The Mi-8 helicopter was downed near the Khankala military base -- apparently by a shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missile.
A Russian military helicopter was shot down in the same area in August, killing about 120 people.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the military to find new ways to fight terrorists. He has apologized for the casualties in the hostage rescue operation, but vowed there will be no deals with terrorists.