CHECHNYA: RUSSIAN BACKS OFF FROM ASSAULT ON GROZNY скачать в хорошем качестве

CHECHNYA: RUSSIAN BACKS OFF FROM ASSAULT ON GROZNY

(13 Dec 1999) Russian/Nat Russia has backed off from its threat to launch an all-out assault on Grozny, and has instead opened a second corridor for civilians to flee the besieged Chechen capital. Russian army sources claim that since last week's warning was issued to Chechens to flee Grozny or face annihilation more than two thousand citizens have left the Chechen capital. However, thousands of others are still believed to be living in basements and underground shelters. In Grozny, there were no reports of Russian war planes bombing the city on Monday, although Russian artillery has continued to target the outskirts of the city. The Russian military says rebel fighters are building defences on the hills surrounding Grozny, planting mines in the city streets, and installing machine-guns on building roofs, preparing to rebuff a possible attack by Russian troops. Meanwhile Chechen refugees continue to flee their homes in Grozny and the surrounding area, fearful that it won't be long before Russian troops launch an all-out assault on the capital. However, thousands of others are still believed to be living in basements and underground shelters. Fleeing civilians say Russian forces regularly fire on refugees trying to escape in cars, and that the Russian troops often loot homes after taking control of cities and towns. However Russians also claim that Chechen militants are keeping civilians in Grozny as human shields. But fleeing refugees deny this, saying those who remain are too old or infirm to move. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) "There are a lot of people left. The majority of them are Russians. Most of the Chechens have already left, someone is helping them get out. The Russians are left such as the elderly and those who can't get out by themselves." SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop, Chechen Refugee Russian forces are now headed towards the mountains, where thousands of rebels are believed to be. A convoy of about 50 Russian armoured vehicles and long-range artillery guns have rolled into position outside the villages 25 kilometres (15 miles) south of Grozny, on the edge of the Caucasus range. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...