January 31, 2000
Web posted at: 8:03 p.m. EST (0103 GMT)

GROZNY, Russia (CNN) -- Russian forces appeared Monday to have taken control of a strategic square in Grozny, clearing the way for a Russian advance into the center of the Chechen capital.

"When we were driving in to Minutka (Square), we were able to see the Russian army under control there, and really a massive military presence by the Russians," said CNN Correspondent Steve Harrigan, who has been traveling with the Russian troops.

But rebel leaders said their forces still commanded positions around Minutka Square, and that snipers -- who have blocked the passage of entire columns of Russian troops trying to maneuver Grozny's streets -- controlled the approaches to the square.

Russian troops have been battling for the key square -- the site of Russia's humiliating defeat five years ago at the end of the first Chechen war -- for more than a week.

VIDEO CNN's Steve Harrigan reports on the opinions of Russian officers and soldiers. Windows Media 28K 80K     MESSAGE BOARD The battle for Chechnya

Minutka Square is comprised of a series of 12-story buildings that effectively created a wall between Russian troops and Grozny's center. Now, the Russians say they have driven snipers out of the buildings, although many were mined, preventing troops from entering.

'Nowhere to go'

Harrigan reported that Grozny, along the route he took into the city, was in "utter devastation."

"Several homes were still burning, still on fire, and ... down one street, every house completely destroyed," he said.

Harrigan added that he had seen small groups of civilians huddled around fires to keep warm.

"These people have nowhere to go, and no homes to return to," he said.

As many as 40,000 civilians may be trapped inside Grozny, while more than 250,000 have already fled the embattled republic. Their living conditions have prompted widespread criticism -- and increasing calls for an end to the fighting -- from Western officials.

Russia has vowed to drive all the militants, which it considers terrorists, out of Chechnya in retaliation for a series of deadly bombings Russian officials say the rebels carried out inside Russian territory. The rebels deny responsibility.

Russia pursued the rebels into Chechnya after the militants staged two incursions into the neighboring Russian republic of Dagestan last fall.