Moscow, April 9 (RFE/RL) - Fresh fighting is reported in Chechnya today despite Russian President Boris Yeltsin's assurances that military operations are over.
The Russian military command in Chechnya is reported as saying its troops were in control of the rebel stronghold of Vedeno in southeastern Chechnya. There is no independent confirmation of the report.
Yeltsin said on Saturday that he had sent a telegram to Chechen separatist leaders saying that military operations in the republic have been halted.
In Shali, 30 kilometres southeast of the capital, Grozny, Russian troops were continuing today to surround the town.
In Grozny itself Russian army officials were reported saying that a major operation was underway to wipe out pockets of resistance.
The Russian military command in Chechnya is reported as saying its troops were in control of the rebel stronghold of Vedeno in southeastern Chechnya. There is no independent confirmation of the report.
Yeltsin said on Saturday that he had sent a telegram to Chechen separatist leaders saying that military operations in the republic have been halted.
In Shali, 30 kilometres southeast of the capital, Grozny, Russian troops were continuing today to surround the town.
In Grozny itself Russian army officials were reported saying that a major operation was underway to wipe out pockets of resistance.