Russian General Vladimir Shamanov, third left, and other officers look at dead bodies of Chechen rebels near Urus-Martan

December 8, 1999
Web posted at: 3:25 a.m. EST (0825 GMT)

In this story: Russian official warns resisters 'will be destroyed' Urus Martan under attack Don't attack civilians, Amnesty International urges RELATED STORIES, SITES

From staff and wire reports

MOSCOW (CNN) -- Russia's campaign in Chechnya is expected to be a topic of questioning at President Clinton's news conference on Wednesday. Many analysts say the campaign against the breakaway republic is chilling relations between the United States and Russia.

As many as 45,000 people remain in Grozny; many are hiding in basements, trying to survive Russian bombings. Leaflets dropped onto the city on Tuesday warned residents to get out by Saturday, or they will be considered terrorists and killed.

On Wednesday, a pro-Moscow Chechen politician said Russian troops had begun storming the key rebel-held town of Urus Martan in the separatist North Caucasus province, Interfax news agency reported.

Interfax quoted a spokeswoman for Bislan Gantamirov as saying troops and paramilitaries had entered Urus Martan and were fighting with rebels. A military press release carried only by Interfax said Russian warplanes had bombed the besieged town along with other towns and villages in Chechnya.

VIDEO CNN's Tim Lister reports how the Chechen crisis may chill Russia's relations with the rest of the world. (December 8) Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K Residents of Grozny are scared they will be attacked even if they try to leave the city. CNN's Steve Harrigan reports (December 8) QuickTime Play Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K CNN's Steve Harrigan met some residents leaving Grozny (December 7) QuickTime Play Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K     MESSAGE BOARD Russia's future     ALSO Cohen says Russian conduct in Chechnya 'not acceptable' Yeltsin prepares for China trip

"There appears to be a policy of indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians" in Chechnya, Defense Secretary William Cohen said on Tuesday. Clinton warned that Russia would "pay a heavy price" for killing Chechen civilians.

Condemnation is coming from other leaders as well. "What's happening there is unacceptable," said NATO Secretary-General George Robertson. British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook has suggested that limited sanctions be considered against Russia.

In the face of such criticism, meanwhile, Russia appears to have eased its deadline for the evacuation of Grozny before the Russian military begins an all-out attack on Islamic fighters defending the city. Russia now says that a "safe corridor" for Chechens to exit the capital remains open. However, bombing missions continued in the region, and the safety of the exit routes could not be independently confirmed.

Russian official warns resisters 'will be destroyed'

Interior Minister Vladimir Rushailo told NTV television on Tuesday that a checkpoint being organized outside Grozny would operate beyond Saturday, the deadline set in leaflets dropped by warplanes.

"We will allow people able to leave before the 11th to pass through," Rushailo, dressed in battle fatigues, told NTV from the hilly countryside.

"Those able to leave areas of military activity should do so as quickly as possible in order not to endanger their lives and those of their loved ones," Rushailo said.

Rushailo also said that anyone offering armed resistance to the Russian army "will simply be destroyed."

Senior officers, meanwhile, denied any ultimatum had been issued. The leaflets, they said, were merely a warning drafted out of concern for the welfare of civilians still in Grozny.

Urus Martan under attack

Russian warplanes flew constant missions west of Grozny, apparently aimed at the rebel stronghold of Urus Martan.

NTV showed Russian soldiers crouching in foxholes outside Urus Martan and said rebel counter attacks were holding off Moscow's forces.

Outside Grozny, Russian news reports quoted people leaving the city as saying most were unaware that a deadline had been issued to clear the city to allow for an all-out attack.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has said the campaign would proceed. Russia has ruled out international mediation in Chechnya. Bandits and international terrorists in Chechnya have killed many Russians, Putin says.

Russia has been trying for three months to restore control over Chechnya, which was abandoned by Russian troops after a 1994-96 war with the separatists.

Don't attack civilians, Amnesty International urges

Amnesty International called on Russia to abide by its obligations under international law and refrain from indiscriminate or direct attacks on Chechen civilians.

German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer urged Russia to withdraw the deadline, Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema described events in Chechnya as "horrible, unacceptable".

In Washington, White House spokesman Joe Lockhart said the United States was unlikely to cut off aid to Russia despite Clinton's statement that it would "pay a heavy price" for the onslaught on Chechnya.

Correspondents Tim Lister, Chris Black and Steve Harrigan, and Reuters contributed to this report.

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