RUSSIA: CHECHNYA: RUSSIAN FORCES PUSH FOR GROZNY

(29 Dec 1994) Chechen/Natsot

Russian forces have launched a massive air and artillery offensive on the Chechen capital of Grozny and the nearby town of Argun, in a major push towards the capital of the breakaway republic.

Hundreds of Russian tanks and armoured vehicles are rolling towards Grozny, supported by warplanes using laser-guided bombs which have been pounding the area.

Civilian casualties have been high, but Chechen forces are offering fierce resistance as the fronts shift from the surrounding rural areas towards the streets of Grozny and Argun.

Russian President Boris Yeltsin had warned the Chechens that he would use as much force as is necessary to settle the Chechen crisis - a warning repeated Wednesday night by Russian foreign minister Andrei Kosyrev.

Thursday, the promise was fulfilled.

Russian jets, firing flares as deterrents against heat-seeking missiles, dropped hundreds of tons of explosives on the town of Argun east of Grozny.

According to the Chechen deputy foreign minister, at least 200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the raids.

President Yeltsin still claims his jets aren't attacking Chechnya, but an APTV cameraman had a near miss when a Russian jet dropped a bomb just feet from where he was filming.

Chechen fighters tried to fend off the aerial bombardment with any weapons they had available - even recoilless rifles.

But their weapons proved inadequate against such sophisticated weaponry.

As the aerial bombardment continued, artillery positions on the outskirts of Argun began a barrage of the town which lasted for much of Thursday.

Soon, the centre of Argun lay in ruins, many buildings burning out of control and sending up clouds of smoke which could be seen from miles away.

Aircraft also bombed the capital, Grozny, threatening the presidential palace where Chechen leader Dzhokhar Dudayev remains sheltered in the basement.

One bomb hit this house, close to the presidential palace. According to unconfirmed reports, they also destroyed Dudayev's personal helicopter.

Most significantly, though, the bombs destroyed power and water lines.

Those Chechens who haven't fled the capital are now having to take water from outside and they're cooking on outdoor, wood fires.

As the residents of Grozny nervously watch the skies, hundreds of Russian tanks and armored vehicles are reported to be advancing on Grozny and Argun.

Yeltsin's troops are yet to enter the capital, but the final Russian thrust appears to be underway.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/33fd5cd1255e6d748e8fbaa3602159d4

Видео RUSSIA: CHECHNYA: RUSSIAN FORCES PUSH FOR GROZNY канала AP Archive