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Soldiers

Russian Troops Suffer Heavy Losses in Chechnya as Fighting Continues

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Russian forces are making slow gains in the embattled city of Grozny, despite artillery bombardments and intense ground fighting. Major General Viktor Vorobyov, the commander of Russian Interior Ministry troops in Chechnya, was killed on Saturday in a mortar attack. His death brings the total number of Russian soldiers killed in the campaign to 256, according to official reports. The operation, led by President Boris Yeltsin, has been plagued with problems and observers say rebel resistance is likely to continue indefinitely.

Key Takeaways:

  • Major General Viktor Vorobyov, the commander of Russian Interior Ministry troops in Chechnya, was killed on Saturday in a mortar attack, becoming the most senior Russian to die in the fighting.
  • The death of General Vorobyov brings the total number of Russian soldiers killed in the campaign to 256, according to official reports.
  • Russian forces are making slow gains in the city of Grozny, despite intense artillery bombardments and ground fighting.
  • Rebel leader Dzhokhar Dudayev has not been seen in public since the Russian invasion, but his headquarters is still in the downtown area of Grozny.
  • The Russian government denied that it was planning a full-scale attack on the capital, but Chechen leaders believe that the shelling and ground fighting are a preview of what is to come.
  • Tens of thousands of Russian troops were deployed to Chechnya on December 11, with tanks and air support, in an attempt to quickly defeat the rebel forces.
  • Civilians in Grozny are spending Orthodox Christmas in underground shelters and cellars, as the fighting continues.
  • Chechen leaders are calling for a ceasefire, but the Russian government has vowed to continue the operation until the rebels are defeated.

Statistics:

  • 256 Russian soldiers have died in the campaign thus far, according to official reports.
  • Tens of thousands of Russian troops were deployed to Chechnya on December 11.
  • 1 million people live in the breakaway region of Chechnya.

Sources:

  • Interfax news agency
  • Itar-Tass news agency
  • Russian government report
  • Reuters news agency
  • President Boris Yeltsin's speech at the Kremlin
  • Official reports from the Russian Ministry of Defense

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