DATE=11/27/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHECNYA FIGHTING (L-UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-256579
BYLINE=BILL GASPERINI
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The capital city of Russia's breakaway Chechen
republic, Grozny, is coming under renewed heavy
bombardment as Russian troops press forward with their
offensive in the region. The bombing - described as
the heaviest of the current campaign - is forcing more
refugees to flee into the neighboring region of
Ingushetia.
TEXT: The Chechen capital is being pounded by heavy
artillery and bombing strikes, with shells raining
down on Grozny from hilltop positions.
But Moscow's commanders say there are still no plans
to launch a ground assault against the city - a tactic
designed to limit Russian troop casualties as much as
possible.
Chechen fighters are well adapted to urban warfare,
but can do little against bombing and artillery fire.
The Russian command says 35 other towns and villages
also came under attack as its troops pressed forward
in an attempt to reclaim control over the entire
republic.
Most of the villages coming under attack are in
southern region of Chechnya, including in the
foothills of the Caucasus Mountains.
This is where Russian commanders say troops are ready
to press forward with a new phase of the war - to
pursue Chechen militants accused of terrorism.
In Moscow, President Boris Yeltsin was briefed on the
war by his defense minister. Mr. Yeltsin, who is
recovering from what officials say is bronchitis, has
vowed to continue the offensive despite sharp
criticism from Western leaders.
The Russians refuse to acknowledge evidence that
thousands of civilians have been killed or wounded in
the onslaught. Many Chechens came under fire while
trying to flee into the neighboring region of
Ingushetia, where more than 200-thousand refugees have
already sought shelter.
In a rare admission of error, military authorities
have arrested five soldiers suspected of killing a
young woman in a refugee camp. The soldiers were
reportedly drunk when they opened fire on Thursday.
(SIGNED)
NEB/BG/JP
27-Nov-1999 14:49 PM EDT (27-Nov-1999 1949 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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