Рет қаралды 20,152
(23 Apr 1996) Russian/Nat
Russian news agency reports have claimed that Chechen rebel leader Dzhokhar Dudayev was killed this week in a missile attack in southwestern Chechnya.
The announcement was apparently made by Dudayev's ousted government and was distributed in the Chechen capital, Grozny.
Reports out of Russia say Chechen rebel leader General Dzhokhar Dudayev has been killed.
The ITAR-Tass news agency in Moscow said that the separatist leader was killed in a missile attack in southwestern Chechnya sometime on Sunday night and Monday morning.
An announcement of the death has apparently been made by Dudayev's government-in- exile, and distributed in the Chechen capital, Grozny by a former peace negotiator.
Dudayev, a former Soviet air force General, led Chechen separatists' fight for independence from Russia.
Chechnya declared independence in 1991, but Moscow never recognised the move, and invaded the territory in December 1994.
In the war that has been raging ever since, thousands have died and the capital Grozny has been ravaged by prolonged fighting.
Dudayev became the symbol of Chechen defiance of Moscow:
SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
Not only am I ready to give up my post and even not take part in the elections if I am so hated by Russia. I am more dangerous when I resign these posts, when I am free to act as I want. And if they think they can kill me, they are stupid and so not understand that only God has the power to do that, not them.
SUPER CAPTION: Dzhokhar Dudayev
Dudayev won the backing of many of his fellow Chechens in the struggle for independence that he led.
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