Russia minister denies plans to storm Grozny

He was speaking to mediapersons after addressing a conference of top CIS defence officials, called to consider the questions relating to collective security, including the fight against cross-border terrorism.

Sergeyev confirmed media reports that a majority of 250 to 300 Chechen militants were killed on Tuesday night, when they attacked Russian forces, attempting to break out of besieged Grozny to southern districts. “The attack was rebuffed and terrorists suffered heavy losses,” he said.

Interfax news agency said, fighting continued between Chechen militants and Russian troops, in the city’snorthern, southern and eastern suburbs, as Russia poured in more reinforcements in the southern mountains, where militants were planning to assemble for guerrilla warfare against Russia.

Meanwhile, Russian troops have taken control of Severny airport, a key strategic point, just north of Grozny, NTV reported quoting Gen Viktor Kazantsev, commander of main military headquarters at Mozdok, North Ossetia, near Chechen border.

Gen Kazantsev also declined to say when Russian troops will capture Grozny.

“There is no specific time-table,” Gen Kazantsev said. “Russians have the strength if they want to take Grozny within a day. But that could create heavy losses of as many as 200 men.”

In first Chechen war, Russians had tried to capture Grozny by storming it on New Year’s eve, suffering heavy losses.

“This time” Gen Kazantsev said, “Russians intended to do things differently.”

Meanwhile, Gen Alexander Vcklich, spokesman for the military headquarters in Mozdok, denied today reports of the shootingof civilians in Alkhan-Yurt, a village in Russian-held Chechnya, in late November-early December.

He told NTV correspondent in Mozdok that the reports of Russian troops gunning down 41 civilians in Alkhan Yurt, circulated by the Western media “are absolute disinformation.”