Chechen rebels attack southern border, hold off Russian paratroopers

Chechen rebels attack southern border, hold off Russian paratroopers
ASSOCIATED PRESS

GROZNY, DEC 31: Entrenched rebels kept advancing Russian forces out of the coveted center of Chechnya's capital on Friday, while militants attacked federal troops blocking rebel supply routes in the southern mountains.Elsewhere in the breakaway republic, Russian troops failed to pierce guerrilla defenses in eastern Chechnya and reported rebel attacks in the Russian-held north.

The Russians pushed on with their six-day-old offensive to seize the capital Grozny, though commanders said they were moving cautiously because the roads were heavily mined. Russian artillery battered the city from all sides, and the military said Russian jets flew 12 combat missions over Grozny over the past 24 hours.

The Russian military reported fierce fighting in the capital's eastern neighbourhoods, where federal forces have been trying to establish control. But there was no sign in central Grozny of Russian forces or pro-Moscow militia.

At least 15 oil wells were ablaze on the southern edge of the capital, sending blacksmoke billowing into the air. ``All Russian attempts to reach the city center have failed,'' Mumadi Saidayev, Chief of staff of the chechen forces, told AP on Friday. ``In some areas, we have managed to push the Russians back. We have left some quarters on the outskirts as they were difficult to defend.''

President of Chechnya Aslan Maskhadov said, ``The military initiative rests entirely in the hands of the defenders of Grozny.'' Aslan Makhacov dismissed reports that militants were preparing to abandon Chechen capital of Grozny, the Interfax news agency said.

Russia had on Wednesday threatened to use more powerful weapons against the rebels of Chechnya as federal forces fought in the streets of Grozny for the sixth day.

Security officials had also briefly arrested seven western journalists near the rebel capital and warned they would be expelled from Russia if ever caught inside Chechnya again.