War Rages in Breakaway Russian Region
The civil war in Russia’s breakaway region of Chechnya saw one of its bloodiest days Wednesday when forces loyal to the Chechen president routed an opposition stronghold, Russian news agencies said. Government officials reported dozens of people killed.
President Dzhokar Dudayev’s forces seized the town of Urus-Martan, 15 miles southwest of the regional capital, Grozny, as well as two neighboring villages, Itar-Tass and Interfax reported.
Interfax quoted Chechen government sources as saying that about 80 opposition fighters were killed. Another Chechen spokesman told Itar-Tass that about 20 loyalist soldiers were killed and 29 injured.
No opposition claims were reported, and the casualties could not be independently verified.
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