Russian authorities say they have killed eight suspected Isis members in North Caucasus

Russia's Anti-Terrorist Committee says the men had recently sworn allegiance to Isis

Iraqi, French and American experts have visited the area to assess the claims (Getty)

Russian officials say that their forces have killed eight suspected militants linked to Isis.

In an announcement today, the country’s Anti-Terrorist Committee said that the militants had been killed in combat with Russian troops in the province of Ingushetia west of Chechnya.

It added that the militants had recently sworn an oath of allegiance to the so-called Islamic State.

The agency said those killed included the group's leader, Adam Tagilov, who was accused of staging December's attack in Chechnya's provincial capital, Grozny, which left 25 people dead.

Russian officials said more than 1,000 Russian nationals have joined the Islamic State group and voiced fears they could pose a major threat when they return.

In a sign that Isis are seeking to gain more control in Russian speaking countries, the group announced last month that it was launching a Russian language channel.

With additional reporting by AP