RUSSIA: CHECHNYA: CLASHES WRAP

Russian/Nat

Nightfall has brought an end to sporadic clashes between Russian invaders and Chechen troops in the breakaway republic of Chechnya.

The clashes overshadowed peace talks in neighbouring North Ossetia between Russian delegates and Chechen government officials.

And, in an exclusive interview with APTV, Chechen leader, Dzhokhar Dudayev, warned of a bloodbath if Russia didn't pull out.

Clashes erupted Monday as Russian forces continued their advance on the capital, Grozny.

The Itar-Tass news agency reported Chechen fighters fired a missile at a Russian column of about 250 military vehicles.

Russian troops responded with helicopter attacks, destroying the base from where the missile was fired.

A number of people are thought to have been injured in the clash, including a number of Russian soldiers.

Russian and Chechen troops also battled near the village of Dolinsk, near Grozny.

Despite the clashes, a spokesman for President Yeltsin insisted Russian forces would not assault the capital of the breakaway republic.

Nevertheless, tanks and thousands of Russian troops continue advancing toward Grozny, 16-hundred kilometres south-east of Moscow.

Up to 40-thousand Russian paratroopers and infantry are said to make up the invasion force which entered Chechnya on Sunday.

They advanced from three sides on the capital Grozny, backed by jets and helicopters.

As the Russians advance on Grozny, Chechen fighters have been preparing themselves to defend the city.

Local authorities say a regiment of one-thousand men has been formed 45 kilometers outside Grozny.

The troops are equipped with tanks, armoured personnel carriers and helicopters.

The Chechen president has repeatedly stated his people are determined to fight for their independence.

Chechnya, a mostly Muslim republic in the Caucasus Mountains of southern Russia, declared independence in 1991.

Moscow has refused to recognise the claim and has backed Chechen rebels opposed to President Dzhokhar Dudayev, a former Soviet air force general.

Despite the Russian invasion, Dudayev remains defiant, warning of a bloodbath if Russia doesn't withdraw.

SOUNDBITE: (In Russian)
"If the world community does not stop Russia, this is the future destiny for all the people. Blood was spilled in Ingushetia, Ossetia, Azerbaijan, Karabakh, Tajikistan and the geography of killing will be more and more widespread."
SUPER CAPTION: Chechen President Dzhokhar Dudayev

In an attempt to end the crisis peacefully, Russian delegates met Chechnya's Finance Minister in North Ossetia.

"We have come to find peaceful means of settling the conflict," Timaz Abubakarov told reporters before entering the meeting.

The talks in the Ossetian capital Vladikavkaz only started after a Chechen opposition group was excluded at the regional government's insistence.

There was no immediate word on progress at the talks, which lasted for about three hours and will continue Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Chechen authorities have paraded a number of captured Russian soldiers in front of reporters.

It is thought at least 48 Russians were captured by Chechen soldiers on Sunday.
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