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DATE=1/22/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA/VEDENO (L O)
NUMBER=2-258325
BYLINE=BILL GASPERINI
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  Russian troops have reportedly seized the 
strategic Caucasus Mountain village of Vedeno in the 
breakaway Chechen republic.  This comes as the 
Russians are still locked in fierce combat with 
Chechen militants in the devastated capital city, 
Grozny.  Bill Gasperini has this report from Moscow.
TEXT:  Military officials say the Russian flag is now 
flying over Vedeno, the largest town in the Caucasus 
Mountains of southern Chechnya.
Troops have been fighting for several weeks trying to 
take Vedeno, a strategic town that is also the 
birthplace of Chechen guerrilla leader Shamil Basayev.
The Chechens said last week they had withdrawn to 
higher positions around the town, a familiar tactic 
they employ in the mountain areas.
But the takeover will still boost morale of the 
Russian forces, which have suffered some reverses over 
the last week.
Fierce fighting continues without let-up in Chechnya's 
capital city, Grozny, as Russian soldiers try to seize 
more of the ruined city street-by-street, house-by-
house.
Military officials acknowledge that the Chechens are 
putting up fierce resistance.
But field commanders also insist that Grozny will soon 
fall under Russian control as well.  They claim that 
so far, one-third of the city is in their hands.
Massive air and artillery strikes continue around the 
clock in support of the ground troops.
Mystery still surrounds the fate of a Russian general 
the Chechens say they captured in Grozny earlier this 
week.  However the military only confirms that Major 
General Mikhail Malofeyev is still missing.
Meanwhile, more questions are being raised about the 
Russian military's account of casualty figures.
After months of supporting the war effort, many 
Russian media outlets now say the number of dead is 
almost double the official figure of about 800.
Many soldiers have privately said their units have 
suffered huge losses in hit-and-run attacks by the 
Chechens, who operate in small groups. (Signed)
NEB/BG/DW/JP
22-Jan-2000 11:01 AM EDT (22-Jan-2000 1601 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.