Rebels Say Grozny Battle Far From Over

Rebel fighters strengthened their positions in central Grozny, casting doubt on Russian claims that federal forces have the upper hand in the battle for the capital of the separatist republic of Chechnya. Russian artillery continued to batter Grozny from all sides, but there was no sign of any major Russian ground attacks. Rebels said they held the center and would defend the city. Defense Minister Igor D. Sergeyev said the fighting was drawing to a close. The military said its forces were close to seizing a Grozny suburb and were closing in on the city center. There was no sign of Russian forces or the pro-Moscow Chechen militia in central Grozny, and Chechen leaders said there had been no front-line fighting. Heavy fighting was reported in the south, where Russian artillery and aircraft bombarded villages. Rebel fighters claimed to have damaged several tanks, the Interfax news agency reported.