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DATE=1/23/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA/CHECHNYA (L 0)
NUMBER=2-258347
BYLINE=BILL GASPERINI
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  Russian officials say the body of a top 
general has been found in the Chechen capital Grozny, 
where he disappeared last week.  This comes as fierce 
fighting continues in Grozny between Russian troops 
and Chechen fighters.  Bill Gasperini has more from 
Moscow.
TEXT:  A Kremlin official says the body of Major 
General Mikhail Malofeyev was found in Grozny, where 
he disappeared last week.  At the time, the Chechens 
said they had captured General Malofeyev and were 
interrogating him.
He was deputy commander of one of the main units of 
Russian forces trying to seize Grozny from Chechen 
rebels.  General Malofeyev is the most senior Russian 
officer to be killed during action in Chechnya.
Fierce fighting is raging near the city center as the 
well-entrenched Chechens hold off an all-out assault 
by federal forces.
Clashes are also reported in the Caucasus Mountains 
south of Grozny, where the Russians yesterday captured 
the large town of Vedeno.
The Chechens had earlier withdrawn from Vedeno to 
nearby hilltops in a tactic they have often used in 
the rugged terrain.  Operating in small groups, the 
Chechens maintain high mobility and are able to hit 
the Russians from different positions in what the 
rebels say is a partisan war.
Meanwhile, one of Russia's main television networks 
says the military cut off access to front-line 
positions and information.  One of its correspondents 
says this is because the network broadcast a report 
about the ambush of a troop convoy in which a large 
number of soldiers died.
The reporter accused the government of censorship. 
N-T-V is the only one of three major networks not 
linked directly to the state; recently it has begun to 
question the accuracy of casualty figures reported by 
the military.  The Kremlin has tried to maintain 
strict control on the flow of information from the war 
zone, fearing that public support for the war could 
weaken if the death toll increases.
Heavy casualties have been reported on both sides as 
the battle for Grozny continues.   (SIGNED)
NEB/BG/DW/RAE
23-Jan-2000 12:21 PM EDT (23-Jan-2000 1721 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.