Wednesday, May 24th, 2000
Kavkaz Center reports:
New Figures on Casualties
The Chechen side has published new figures of the casualties of both sides
from the beginning of the Russian invasion until May 20th this year.
According to these figures, the losses of the Chechen Armed Forces and of
the units of the Chechen peoples* militia since September 1999 amounted to
1,380 fighters. About 1,600 men were wounded. 142 men are missing or were
captured.
In this same period, according to Chechen figures, more than 18,000
Russians were killed, while about 45,000 Russians were wounded. 740
armoured vehicles were destroyed, including 20 late-model Russian T-90
tanks. 20 aeroplanes and 71 helicopters were shot down.
The Chechen side is going to determine exact figures of the losses among
the civilian population of the ChRI. Until now there are no absolutely
exact figures, although the method of correlating the available data was
validated in the first war in Chechnya. Because of this, a preliminary
estimate of about 35,000 victims among the civilian population will come
very close to reality.
The strength of the Russians forces in the ChRI amounts from 200 to 250
thousand men. About 13,500 men are fighting in the Chechen Armed Forces or
in militia units. Apart from these regular forces, different partisan units
of varying strength are active on virtually the entire territory of
Chechnya.
Clashes near Khorsenoy
Clashes between mobile units of the Chechen Armed Forces and the Russians
are continuing in various districts of southern Chechnya. Local shootouts
periodically escalate to bitter fighting with large forces of the enemy.
Yesterday evening fighting occurred near Khorsenoy. The Chechen mujahideen
are continuing to exercise control of the surroundings of the village;
Russian efforts to change the situation were frustrated.
A mobile unit of the Chechen mujahideen opened mortar fire on a substantial
group of so-called spetsnaz men that tried to approach the village in
disguise. Having suffered their first casualties, the enemy stopped
advancing, entrenched, and called for helicopter support.
Russian helicopter gunships attacked the Chechen positions for two hours.
But these measures did not prove very effective because of the maximal
spacing of the Chechen fighters* positions.
The mujahideen blockaded the Russians* movement by firing upon them with
mountain cannons (SPG-9). After several hours of intense shooting, the
Russian units retreated.
Exact figures on the Russian casualties are not available. Several
mujahideen were wounded.
Fighting in Zhanni-Vedeno
The situation in Zhanni-Vedeno has not changed. During the last two days
the Russians carried out intense artillery, rocket, and aviation attacks on
the village.
But there have been no serious Russian attempts to move towards the
village. Their efforts to capture a tactical height were also frustrated
while the mujahideen carried out scouting operations towards Dyshne-Vedeno.
This morning Russian shelling continued.
Arbi Akmurzayev is Dead.
The command of the central front of the Chechen Armed Forces has announced
that Arbak (Arbi) Akmurzayev is dead.
He was the deputy of the military Amir of the Islamic jamaat "Jundullah"
and a member of the congress of the Muslims of Chechnya and Dagestan. He
died because of an effusion of blood in the brain in the late evening of
May 19th.
During the first war in Chechnya 1994-1996, Arbi Akmurzayev fought in the
Islamic Battalion, commanding one of the subunits of this battalion. He
also took part in the defence of the Chechen capital in 1994-95, as well as
in 1999-2000.
Tuesday, May 23rd, 2000
Kavkaz Center reports:
Bitter Fighting Near Khidi-Khutor
Kavkaz Center*s correspondent, referring to the staff of the interior
ministry of the ChRI, reports bitter fighting near Khidi-Khutor. Special
units of the Chechen Interior Ministry and of the central front of the
Chechen Armed Forces attacked Russians moving from the Nozhay-Yurt to the
Kurchaloy District.
Advance units of the mujahideen attacked the enemy with mortars.
Afterwards the main forces of the mujahideen hit the enemies* flanks.
The Russians defended themselves with return fire. Shooting lasted for
about two hours. The aggressors utilized helicopter gunships and aviation.
According to Chechen commanders, the mujahideen managed to set two BMPs and
two heavy URAL trucks on fire. Several mortar grenades exploded in the
centre of the Russian column. 15 to 25 Russians were killed during the
clash.
On the mujahideens* side, five man were wounded by a rocket attack from a
Russian helicopter. Further losses were avoided by the fact that the
mujahideens* positions were maximally spaced.
5 FSB Members Killed
According to the Chechen command, at the outskirts of Nozhay-Yurt five FSB
members were killed by a Chechen special operation.
Special units of the Anti-Terrorist Centre of the ChRI, lying in ambush,
blew up two UAZiks of the enemy, applying radio-controlled mines. After the
explosions the Chechens fired on the Russians with automatic weapons. Six
Russians managed to escape though they were wounded.
The fighters of the Anti-Terrorist Centre of the ChRI put 7 special
submachine guns, 10 *Mukha* grenade launchers, 2 PK machine guns, and a bag
with documents into safe keeping.
Air Raids on Ulus-Kert
The Russian aviation carried out an absolutely unmotivated bombing-raid on
Ulus-Kert.
After bitter fighting there in February and March, the village was no
longer populated. It is only in the last two weeks that the village people
had started to return to their houses. At the time of the Russian raid
about 150 people were in the village. Three women and one child were
reported killed.
Murders in North Ossetia
The Chechen Vice-premier Vakha Arsanov accused the GRU and the FSB of being
responsible for the six murders in the Prigorodny District of North Ossetia
near the border with Ingushetia.
Mr. Arsanov said that the aim of these crimes was to destabilize the
situation in North Ossetia and in Ingushetia. He points out that special
services of the ChRI are shadowing the actions of the Russian terrorists.
Monday, May 22nd, 2000
Kavkaz Center reports:
Zhanni-Vedeno Liberated
The staff of the central front announced today that Chechen units liberated
Zhanni-Vedeno in a night attack. The Russians retreated to Vedeno.
During the night combat four armoured vehicles were destroyed, while more
than 20 Russians were killed. On the Chechen side several mujahideen were
wounded, but no one fell.
This morning at about 7 a.m. the Russians tried to counter-attack the
mujahideen, but their efforts failed.
The aggressors are carrying out intense bombing and rocket and artillery
attacks on the village.
The Chechen Armed Forces are in control of Zhanni-Vedeno.
Armoured Column Hit Near Yarysh-Mardy
According to Amir Yakub, the commander a Chechen special unit, a Russian
armoured column was hit near the village of Yarysh-Mardy. The mujahideen
blew up the two lead tanks and then attacked the enemy.
The Russians tried to react, but were pinned down with mortars, grenade
launchers, flamethrowers, and NURS S-5s. After one hour of fighting the
mujahideen retreated to the wooded mountains to positions prepared earlier.
Despite active use of helicopter gunships, the Russians were unable to
protect their column.
Amir Yakub reports 5 armoured vehicles and 3 heavy trucks with materiel
knocked out. 27 Russians were killed. The mujahideen suffered no
casualties.
Russian Transport Helicopter Downed
Above the village of Zhanni-Vedeno the Chechens brought down another
Russian transport helicopter. The helicopter was shot down with a Chechen
"Albattar" sniper rifle.
Inhabitants of several Chechen villages near Zhanni-Vedeno witnessed the
helicopter going down into the Vedeno Valley, spewing black clouds of
smoke.
The Chechen side has information that no fewer than 15 Russian soldiers
were in the helicopter.
Chechen Republic of Ichkeria - Press Centre - News:
Chechens ambush another Russian column.
5/22/00 - On 20 May, a unit of Chechen Armed Forces ambushed a small
Russian military column that consisted of military track URAL and armoured
vehicles BTR. The ambush took place near Urus-Martan. The track was
destroyed and six Russians were killed. The Chechen unit did not suffer any
casualties.
Yesterday, Chechen Armed Forces carried out one more operation in
Urus-Martan. An explosive device was incorporated in a building of a
temporary department of Russian Internal Ministry in the town. One Russian
was killed and other four were wounded. The staff of this department have
been engaged in the so-called "zachistki", which usually means arbitrary
detention, torture, murder and looting.
www.chechengovernment.com/PressCenter.asp
Source: Kavkaz Center (a Semi-Official Chechen News Agency)
URL: http://www.kavkaz.org
Email: webmaster@kavkaz.org
Date: 22-24 May 2000
Wednesday 24 May 2000
Mujahideen Annihilate Russian Special Forces in Zhanni Vedeno
By the Grace of Allah Most High, the Mujahideen attacked and destroyed a
large unit of Russian Special Forces in the village of Zhanni Vedeno on
Monday. The Mujahideen surprised the enemy unit and captured Zhanni Vedeno
after a short fight that left more than 50 Russian Special Forces troops
dead. Seven enemy vehicles were also destroyed in the attack. The
survivors of the Russian unit are reported to have fled to the nearby town
of Vedeno.
After cleansing Zhanni Vedeno of Russian troops and maintaining control
over the town for some time, the Mujahideen conducted a logical withdrawal
from the area in order not to present themselves as an easy and
concentrated target to Russian air and artillery forces. The Mujahideen
returned to their original locations with high morale and the accolade of
another crushing victory over Russia?s finest troops.
Mujahideen Destroy Russian Sentry Units in Grozny
Mujahideen units ambushed and destroyed a Russian sentry unit on Tuesday.
Mujahideen sources confirm that the unit comprised of two trucks and 16
soldiers and was heading towards new sentry locations in one of the city?s
districts. By the Grace of Allah Most High, the Mujahideen destroyed both
trucks and killed all 16 soldiers in the unit.
Mujahideen Bombard Russian Positions at Achkoi Martan
Mujahideen units used mortars to blast Russian formations stationed in the
area of Achkoi Martan on Tuesday. The Mujahideen continued their
bombardment of enemy positions for several hours. The attack caused
significant damage to Russian positions, and, although no specific
casualty count can be confirmed at this time, Mujahideen sources confirm
that several enemy troops were killed or wounded in the attack.
Elsewhere in Chechnya, the Mujahideen ambushed two Russian vehicles near
Neger Yurt. Two Russian officers and three soldiers were killed in the
attack.
Tuesday 23 May 2000
Mujahideen Confirm Death of 50 Russians in Helicopter Shoot-Down
Mujahideen sources have confirmed that 50 Russian OMON special police were
killed when the helicopter they were on board was shot down yesterday
(22/04)
The helicopter, which was shot down by Commander Abul Waleed's unit, was
seen crashing to the ground before exploding into a terrific fireball that
killed all of the aircraft's occupants.
Russian media has confirmed that the Helicopter (presumed to be a giant
Mi-6 transport) was shot down, but has concealed the true casualty count
by reporting that 'all of the helicopter's occupants survived
miraculously.'
Russian Units Destroy Their Equipment and Flee Battlefield
Mujahideen sources confirm that members of a Russian armoured force near
Vedeno destroyed their equipment and fled the battlefield when they learnt
they were about to be attacked by the Mujahideen.
Cowardice and fear are common characteristics among Russian troops serving
in the Caucasus; every month, hundreds of Russian troops abscond from
their units or surrender rather that fight the Mujahideen.
Wassalamu'alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarokaatuh
(DI-26/05/00)
