The Russian Armed Forces blocked the town of Gudermes in the north and in the east this morning, the Ministry of Defense stated. Soldiers are carrying out clearing operations on the streets of the town. Press secretary of the center of the Eastern group of the Federal Forces Gennady Alyokhin said in an interview with Echo of Moscow radio that at present Gudermes is also blocked in the north-west. According to Alyokhin the insurgents are trying to threaten the peace citizens. Basayev has recently visited the town and demanded the inhabitants to show resistance to the federal troops threatening to destroy the town if they disobey. Meanwhile Basayev's house in Grozny was destroyed by direct hit of a missile.