(23 Nov 1999) Russian/Nat
Russian troops have continued pouring into Chechnya, setting the stage for an expected showdown over key cities in the breakaway region.
According to official estimates, the total number of refugees in the neighbouring Caucasus republic of Ingushetia has now reached more than 200-thousand.
The Russian interior ministry said on Tuesday that nearly 2-thousand people fled Chechnya in the past twenty-four hours alone.
Troops have nearly surrounded Grozny, the capital of the breakaway Caucasus republic.
Moscow insists it is targeting only rebel fighters, despite claims from human rights groups and Chechens that the civilian toll has been high.
Refugees speak of indiscriminate bombardment and shelling by Russian troops.
Human rights organisations have accused Moscow of using excessive force in its three-month operation against suspected terrorists and their bases in Chechnya.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"There is a significant amount of evidence which suggests that civilians have been the victims of indiscriminate attacks, as well as the use of disproportionate force by the Russian army here in Chechnya. The bombing of the Grozny market on October 21st is just one example of this kind, where five, where several, rockets were fired into a bazaar at peak shopping time, at 5 p-m. And there were many, many civilian casualties."
SUPER CAPTION: Cassandra Cavano, Head of Human Rights Watch
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Other incidents suggest that in the bombings of towns in the southern populated belt of Chechnya there is firing and shelling and bombing occurring which does not distinguish between potentially military targets and civilian objects, homes, cellars where people are hiding."
SUPER CAPTION: Cassandra Cavano, Head of Human Rights Watch
SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"On November 16th we were going to a funeral. Between the town of Achkoi Martan and our village - firing started. At least three people were killed and many were wounded."
SUPER CAPTION: Asiat Akhtemirova, Chechen refugee
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