RUSSIA: CHECHNYA: GROZNY: RUSSIAN FORCES KEEP UP THE PRESSURE

Russian/Nat

Artillery fire and rockets from helicopter gunships rained down on Chechen positions in Grozny today (Friday) as Russian forces kept up the pressure to force Chechen rebels out of the city.

The Chechens are still putting up fierce resistance despite having to abandon the presidential palace which had become the symbol of their fight for independence from Russia.

The Russian gained an important psychological if not military victory by taking the Chechen Presidential Palace. They believe they have the Chechen rebels on the run and want to keep up the pressure.

Trucks bring in more Russian supplies and helicopters are a constant presence over the capital Grozny.

Russian forces are now bombing the last open road out of the city.

The aftermath of battle shows the high cost in lives and equipment of the war.

Since the fall of the presidential palace, Russian soldiers appear more confident and are starting to make contact with local civilians.

Russia's president Boris Yeltsin has stated that the military phase of the struggle in Chechnya is over.

But the Chechen leader General Dudayev says his forces will fight on.

SOUNDBITE:

Not Yeltsin, or even Chernomyrdin, control the situation here in Grozny, and especially the party of war Russian Security Council which is not managed by the President or Prime Minister. The party of war committed big crimes with this war and they want to shun the responsibility now. But they try to do more and more shelling, air attacks etc. On the day of the ceasefire, January 18 1995, they attacked Grozny by air using 3, 6, and 9 ton bombs. The destroying power of these bombs is equal to a small nuclear bomb.

SUPER CAPTION: Dzhokhar Dudayev, President of Chechnya

Chechen fighters are vowing to defend what is left of their capital inch by inch.

If Grozny does fall, then the rebels say they will take their fight for freedom to the countryside.
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/d575ae4fb929a277d54d5cf3036424d5
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

Видео RUSSIA: CHECHNYA: GROZNY: RUSSIAN FORCES KEEP UP THE PRESSURE канала AP Archive