DATE=10/4/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHECHNYA PLANE DOWNED (S-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254646
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Chechen rebels have shot down a Russian
warplane, the first such confirmed incident since
air strikes on Chechnya began more than a month
ago. V-O-A correspondent Peter Heinlein reports
from Moscow.
TEXT: The Russian bomber was brought down near
the town of Urus-Martan, 25-kilometers southwest
of the capital, Grozny. Chechen television
showed pictures of the downed jet and the body of
the pilot.
The incident came during a day of heavy bombing
raids and artillery fire directed at and around
several Chechen towns, and word of the first
Russian ground casualties since troops crossed
into Chechnya last week.
Federal forces are reported to have advanced to
within 25-kilometers of Grozny at one location
Monday, and residents of the capital told of
hearing a steady stream of artillery fire in the
distance.
Chechen officials say the latest offensive has
already killed more than 400 civilians, and
triggered an exodus of refugees. More than 100-
thousand refugees have already fled to
neighboring Ingushetia, which normally has a
population of only 300-thousand. (Signed)
NEB/PFH/TVM/gm
04-Oct-1999 15:45 PM EDT (04-Oct-1999 1945 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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