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(17 Jan 1996) Russian/Nat Russia's state-run news agency says troops have released 41 hostages being held by Chechen rebels in Dagestan. Itar-Tass reported government troops freed the hostages following a massive air and artillery assault. The fate of the remainder of the 100 or so civilians being held by the Chechen separatists was not clear. Reports that 41 hostages have been freed came at the end of a day in which the Russian military had seemingly abandoned hope that there were any hostages still alive. Powerful Grad multiple rocket launchers have been launching salvo after salvo against into the city. Helicopters have continued their onslaught from the air. The renewed barrage began after Russian Interior troops were pulled back to make way for special, highly trained fighters - the Alpha force. Between 150 and 250 Chechen separatists are holding around 100 civilian hostages in the ruins of the village. Villagers have been watching impotently as the Russian military have turned Pervomayskaya int
