Assault in Chechnya Fails
- Share via
GROZNY, Russia — A major offensive by the Russian-backed opposition Saturday failed to wrest Grozny, the capital of the breakaway region of Chechnya, from government control.
The presidential palace, which the opposition had claimed to seize earlier Saturday, was swarming with government officials and heavily armed supporters of President Dzhokhar Dudayev.
The government said the opposition fighters were mostly Russians and that 300 of the 350 opposition soldiers killed were Russian.
In a telephone interview, Dudayev vowed to continue fighting.
“If Russia continues this path, we have no other option,” he said.
Claims of Russian involvement in the fighting could not be verified immediately.
Chechnya, a mostly Muslim area of 1.2 million in the Caucasus Mountains, declared independence in 1991. Dudayev loyalists say Moscow wants to oust the former Soviet air force general so Chechnya will return to the Kremlin’s fold.
Moscow, which backs the opposition politically and reportedly gives financial support, has denied providing any military help.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
More From the Los Angeles Times
Podcasts
A series of small-town dog killings was a prelude to the violence committed by one of California’s deadliest serial killers.
The stories behind the most compelling cases from the people who know them best.
From punchlines to policy, comedian Esteban Gast and Sammy Roth explore laughter as a powerful tool for change.
