Chechen fighters launched a strong counterattack against Russian forces in Grozny’s northern outskirts today, despite Moscow’s claims that the rebels were close to collapse. Rebel fighters retook parts of the Grozny’s suburb of Khankala, which Russian forces claimed to have occupied days ago. By this morning, Chechen militants control the southern half of the area. Chechen leaders said the attacks mark the start of a change in the war, adding that the Russian advance into Chechnya would be halted. A major Chechen counterattack could be embarrassing to the Russian government, which has claimed it is close to defeating the rebels.