Russian Forces Tighten Noose Around the Chechen Capital

Federal forces tightened their squeeze Friday on rebels hiding in Chechnya’s rugged southern mountains, while Moscow’s top commander in the republic said that the final assault on this capital city had begun.

After seizing most of northern Chechnya, Russian troops have been pushing south in recent weeks, and Friday they repelled three attempts by militants to escape south to Georgia, the military command said. Russian jets and helicopter gunships attacked three rebel bases in the southern mountains.

Russian paratroops sealed a key rebel supply route in the Argun Gorge in southern Chechnya that leads to Georgia, the Itar-Tass news agency reported. The Russian military said that dozens of rebels had been killed but that there were no losses among federal forces. The toll could not be confirmed.

Rebel fighters appeared unconcerned about the setback. The guerrillas said Friday that small roads to Georgia remained open.

Russia has accused Georgia, the only foreign country bordering Chechnya, of aiding the rebels. Georgia has denied the allegations.

The rebels also said they were still able to get into and out of Grozny.

Russian forces shelled the center of Grozny on Friday, and Chechen rebels and pro-Moscow militia members exchanged heavy fire in the eastern Khankala district.

Russia’s military commander in Chechnya, Col. Gen. Viktor Kazantsev, said Friday that the “special operation” to take control of Grozny had begun, Itar-Tass reported.

Officials Friday continued denying reports by refugees and human rights advocates that Russian soldiers rampaged in the Chechen village of Alkhan-Yurt this month, killing at least 23 civilians. Moscow also denied a report that a commander, Maj. Gen. Vladimir Shamanov, had been ousted in connection with the alleged massacre.