RUSSIA: CHECHNYA: GROZNY: SPETSNAZ TROOPS ON PATROL

(5 Feb 1995) Russian/Nat
Russian forces are continuing to tighten their grip on the Chechen capital, Grozny.
Russian special forces - or "Spetsnaz" - are charged with maintaining law and order in the capital.
APTV accompanied the elite Interior Ministry troops as they patrolled the devastated city.
The airport in Grozny is now the headquarters of the Russian army operation .
It is from here that these Interior Ministry troops set out in their armoured personnel carrier (APC).
These are elite soldiers - their exact base is a secret and their tasks change daily.
Their assignment today was to patrol the area around the presidential palace - scene of some of the heaviest fighting before the Russians took control of the centre of Grozny.
Virtually the only civilians left in the city are Russians. They have no money and nowhere else to go.
They only dare leave their homes during the relative safety of daylight - during the night they would be caught in the Russian-Chechen crossfire.
SOUNDBITE:
(Russian)
Question: "Are the soldiers helping you?"
(Old woman) "We asked them to but they didn't."
(Old man) "We shut the door in their faces when they came."
(Old woman) "We don't have food, and there is no medicine."
SUPER CAPTIONS: None
The soldiers are constantly on alert. Every building is a possible hiding place for snipers.
As the presidential palace comes into sight, gunshots ring out - a sign that some Chechen fighters are still trying to guard the area near the building.
The palace was a symbol of Chechen defiance.
As the Russian forces run for cover, the citizens just try as best they can to get on with their lives.
The soldiers are unable to find the snipers, but send up a signal flare to warn other Russian troops that the area is dangerous.
The Spetsnaz also patrol on foot. This group is searching buildings, trying to locate Chechen fighters. This time they don't find any.
It is likely these soldiers will be patrolling Grozny for some time to come - even if the whole of the city comes under Russian control.

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