(11 Dec 1999) Russian/Nat
As Russian troops continue their air assaults and bombardments of the Chechen capital, Grozny, special police units on the ground are combing Chechnya in search of suspected Islamic militants.
When caught, most of the suspected militants are brought to so-called "filtration camps" or detention centres for questioning.
Russian troops are determined to break the rebel stronghold on Chechnya and find the Islamic militants they believe represent the very reason why the Chechen conflict began.
Despite Russian President Boris Yeltsin's recent ultimatum to the civilians of Grozny to leave the Chechen capital by Saturday or face death, Russia appeared to back off its ultimatum on Friday.
Yeltsin maintains that his main target is still the militant rebels based within the city, which he has stressed on more than several occasions during the conflict.
When caught, most of those militants detained are brought to so-called "filtration camps" or detention centres for questioning, such as this one in the village of Chernokozovo.
One unnamed prisoner, who Russians suspect is an Islamic militant trying to escape the Russian forces, says it's the freezing temperatures which make life in the prison unbearable.
SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"I've been here since the 30th October... I could stand to be here, it's just too cold... "
SUPER CAPTION: Prisoner/Alleged Islamic militant
The Commander of the prison guards, Alexander Stolyarov, defends their actions by emphasising that the militants need to be questioned because they are involved in illegal activities.
SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"Some of them (militants) shave off their beards and make their way back to their home villages. But we get the information on those who were participating in war against the federal forces or others involved in other illegal activities. We detain them and bring them over here"
SUPER CAPTION: Alexander Stolyarov, Commander of the prison guards
According to various estimates, about 4-thousand to 6-thousand Chechen militants are defending Grozny, while up to 40-thousand civilians are believed to be trapped in the ravaged city.
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