CHECHNYA: RUSSIA/CHECHNYA CONFLICT: VILLAGE

(14 Jan 2000) Russian/Nat

Russian forces have denied that their military operation in Chechnya is on the verge of failure after a series of damaging raids by Chechen rebels on Russian-held towns in the past week.

Russian Defence Minister Igor Sergeev claimed Russian soldiers had successfully beaten off attacks by guerillas on the towns of Argun and Shali and inflicted significant casualties on the Chechens.

Thousands of Chechen refugees have returned to their hometowns and villages in recent weeks, but in the village of Alkhan-Yurt, near Grozny, many of the buildings are still in ruins.

The Russian military admits that the battle for Alkhan-Yurt was one of the toughest of the campaign.

It still faces accusations of using excessive artillery strikes to quash resistance here.

Many of the buildings are still in ruins as a result of the battle to take the village in early December.

This man says this was the spot where his father suffered a splinter wound in his throat but survived.

Thousands of Chechen refugees have been returning to their hometowns and villages in recent weeks after finding temporary refuge in the neighbouring republic of Ingushetia, assured by the Russians of their safety.

But residents here say the idea of sending refugees back to Alkhan-Yurt is premature.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"These people arrived here one hour ago from Nazran (capital of neighbouring Ingushetia). But I have nowhere to put them as the building could collapse at any minute."
SUPER CAPTION: Magomed, Alkhan-Yurt resident

Russian forces have denied that their military operation in Chechnya is on the verge of failure after a series of damaging raids by Chechen rebels on Russian-held towns in the past week.

Russian Defence Minister Igor Sergeev claimed Russian soldiers had successfully beaten off attacks by guerillas on the towns of Argun and Shali and inflicted significant casualties on the Chechens.

But the Chechen raids at the start of the week have thrown the spotlight back on areas of Chechnya thought to be under tight Russian control for weeks, if not months.

Acting Russian President Vladimir Putin owes his popularity largely to his tough handling of the war in Chechnya.

But for these people that means destroyed homes.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"Look (points at ruins), this is how Putin is increasing his (popularity) rating."
SUPER CAPTION: Malika, Alkhan-Yurt resident, Malika

And so for the residents of Alkhan-Yurt, the rebuilding of their shattered village begins in earnest.

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