MOSCOW, DECEMBER 16: Over a hundred Russian troops were killed by Chechen rebels in heavy fighting in central Grozny, Moscow's Echo radio reported. However, the report was not confirmed by Moscow.A Russian column had advanced yesterday from Khankala, in the east of the Chechen capital Grozny, to the Minoutka area.There around 2,000 rebels forced them back in a violent clash which left more than 100 dead on the Russian side, the radio station reported today.The Russian troops retreated back to their old position, private television station NTV reported.NTV reported that the fighting lasted three hours and finished at around 0130 hrs (IST) today.Meanwhile, as a Reuters report stated that Russian troops clashed with rebel fighters near the centre of Grozny, the Russian defence ministry denied today its forces had advanced into the city or tried to storm it.The report said that many Russian soldiers were seen lying dead after their column of tanks and armoured personnel carrierswas surrounded and attacked by Chechen separatist guerrillas late yesterday.The armoured column had advanced deep into Grozny from the direction of Khankala on the eastern edge and almost reached the central Minutka district before turning back. Russian troops had occupied Khankala, site of a military airport, over the weekend.But in Moscow, a defence ministry spokesman said by telephone: ``The military categorically denies the information put out by Reuters.''Defence Minister Igor Sergeyev told Interfax news agency: ``There was and will be no storm of Grozny.''``This information is a provocation. We must determine who spread it,'' he said.Another military spokesman said Russian units had merely continued to improve their positions in Khankala and in the northwestern Gikalo district during the night.Russian tanks had not attacked Grozny since the disastrous 1994-96 Chechen war. Clashes could stir up grim memories among Russia's voters ahead of Sunday's parliamentaryelection.This war, unlike the last one, has so far been popular among the Russian public and has boosted the popularity ratings of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.Russian news agencies and radio and television channels carried foreign news agency reports of the clashes and also the denials in morning news bulletins.Many civilians remain in the city, hiding in cold cellars too scared to venture out. Their food supplies are dwindling and some have been killing pigeons to stay alive.Russia rescinded an ultimatum issued last week that had given all residents until December 11 to leave the city or be treated as military targets. But only about 2,500 have managed to take advantage of corridors Moscow set up for their escape.
