(25 Dec 1999) Russian/Nat
Heavy fighting broke out on the outskirts of the Chechen capital of Grozny on Saturday as Russian troops backed by heavy artillery advanced on all sides, trying to crush rebels entrenched in the city.
Russian tanks and cannons ringing the city fired wave after wave of shells into Grozny, while special forces and pro-Moscow Chechen fighters entered the city.
On Saturday, Russian troops continued what may be their final advance on the Chechen capital.
Russia's military commander in Chechnya, Colonel General Viktor Kazantsev, said that a "special operation" to take control of Grozny had begun.
Special forces units, together with pro-Moscow Chechen fighters, have reportedly entered the city, while regular army units shell the city from the outskirts.
Russian troops are clearly confident the operation will meet with success.
SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"We are going to Grozny! And we are going to capture the Starovpromyslovski district (of Grozny)."
SUPER CAPTION: Russian Soldier
According to the Russian military, armoured vehicles entering Grozny on Saturday used smoke screens to shield themselves against fire from the militants.
Russian officials reported that street battles were raging in parts of the city as soldiers met stiff resistance from Chechen rebels.
The Chechen command wants to retain Grozny to keep alive its drive for independence.
Up to 40,000 mostly elderly refugees are thought to be trapped in Grozny, which has been under Russian bombardment for weeks.
The Russian military opened two routes out of the city for civilians, but most people were too frightened to risk the dangerous journey.
Grozny remains the last rebel stronghold in Chechnya's northern lowlands - but thousands of militants still roam Chechnya's rugged southern mountains.
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