Victim of Russian soldiers' rampage
Russia has announced it is beginning a new phase of its military operation in Chechnya aimed at defeating separatist rebels in the breakaway region. The Chechen capital, Grozny has sustained its heaviest night of air and artillery attacks since the start of Russia's eight-week military offensive in the breakaway republic. A senior Russian commander said the campaign was now entering a new phase which would lead to the destruction of terrorist groups and their bases in Chechnya by the end of the year.
In September, Russia launched the first phase of its operation with the formal aim of sealing off the borders of the North Caucasus region, which it blamed for harbouring what Moscow calls terrorists and bandits. Since then, Russia has regained control over most lowland areas in northern and central Chechnya without meeting much resistance from the rebels, but has so far been reluctant to seize the rebel-held regional capital Grozny for fear of huge losses.
Deputy chief of staff, General Valery Manilov, has announced that President Boris Yeltsin was offering amnesty to Chechen rebels who had not committed "serious crimes" against Russia. The move would appear to be part of Russia's drive to discourage rebels from resistance in Grozny and mountain strongholds.
Meanwhile, in neighbouring Ingushetia Russian troops are reported to have opened fire on a group of refugees killing one woman and injuring two others. Witnesses say the solders went on a drunken rampage and drove around in an armed vehicle shooting at random.
