Heroic rebels seize the initiative:
London Telegraph Monday 10 January 2000
Chechen rebels seize the initiative
By Marcus Warren in Moscow
CHECHEN guerrillas launched a series of lightning raids outside Grozny yesterday, dramatically wresting the initiative from their Russian foes.
The waiting game: Russian soldiers sit around a fire at a position in Hankala village on the outskirts of the Chechen capital Grozny
Attempts by Vladimir Putin, the acting president, to steady public opinion were undermined by the news from Chechnya that rebels had retaken the centre of the town of Argun, east of the Chechen capital.
The surprise breakthrough was only one of several attacks by large groups of rebels which gave the lie to Moscow's claims of control over Chechnya. As Russia's army was reported to be regrouping to try to end the deadlock inside the city, more insights emerged into the extent of Russian casualties.
Interviews with troops in the neighbouring republic of Ingushetia highlighted the poor morale in the ranks. Soldiers claim that some units have lost half their men killed or wounded in recent weeks, suggesting that the official figures of 465 dead since September are highly misleading.
Russia's eastern group of forces in Chechnya reported that Argun's military command post and its station were being besieged by up to 300 rebels. An armoured column was heading for Shali, scene of fighting earlier in the day, the military said. But according to Chechen sources, the Chechen flag flew over the town.
Another column of Russian troops transporting water to Chechnya's second city, Gudermes, was ambushed and the five armoured personnel carriers sent to the rescue were attacked, the military said. The fighting was still raging last night.
telegraph.co.uk
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