Рет қаралды 114,315
(15 Jan 1995) Natural Sound
Russian forces pushed closer to the heart of the Chechen capital Grozny today (Sunday).
Throughout the day, a relentless barrage of shells has rained down on the remaining buildings still standing in the ruined capital.
The Russians hold several key buildings next to the palace and overnight fought their way into the Presidential Palace.
But early Sunday morning, Chechen fighters forced them back.
The centre of the Chechen capital again came under intense artillery fire on Sunday.
Shells slammed into tall buildings, causing huge explosions and fires.
Again, the main target was the presidential palace.
Russian troops entered this symbol of Chechen resistance overnight but were driven out by rebel fighters in ferocious fighting.
The Chechens are still holding on to the building, but the Russian forces continue to hold several buildings in the vicinity of the palace.
Already in control of the north of Grozny, the Russians are now moving south in an effort to encircle the entire city centre.
Heavy machine gun and small arms fire continues to crackle across the capital.
The pounding of the city was a continuation of the Russians' strategy of trying to obliterate the city with relentless rocket and artillery fire to make way for infantry.
Both sides suffered a yet unknown number of casualties.
Among them reportedly the oldest son of President Dzhokhar Dudayev.
Russian news reports cited Chechen elders as saying Ovlur Dudayev was killed defending Grozny.
But although they may be losing control of the south of the city, the Chechen fighters haven't run out of determination yet.
Equipped with everything from hunting rifles to guns dating from the Second World War, they continue to put up fierce resistance.
The Russian government press service believes the number of armed rebels still in Grozny numbers around two-thousand.
The Chechens are set to fight for the capital until the bitter end.
But if Grozny falls, they have vowed to continue the war from the southern mountains.
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