CHECHNYA: RUSSIAN FORCES ENTER GROZNY

(23 Dec 1999) Russian/Nat Russian forces trying to wipe out rebels entrenched in the ruins of the Chechen capital Grozny intensely bombarded the smoke-enshrouded city on Wednesday. And as they continue their push into southern Chechnya, the Russian Army has begun to shell regions closer to the high Caucasus Mountains. Still in the hands of Chechen rebels, the town of Chiri-Yurt, 32 km south of Grozny, is being shelled by the Russian Army. The Russian attacks in Chiri-Yurt come unannounced. The citizens of the town had no time to find cover for themselves and for their children. The shelling and blasts continued unabated casting clouds of smoke into the skies. When there is a sustained attack - and if there's time - people hide out in abandoned basements. Here several dozen people were hiding from the Russian assault. In the cellar they had food and limited provisions. Shaking and crying they blamed Moscow for