Russia said 70 rebels had laid down their arms in Grozny yesterday, signalling a breakthrough in its campaign to seize the Chechen capital, and it predicted more fighters would surrender soon. On the ground, however, snipers in the devastated city slowed advancing Russian troops, despite stepped-up bombardments by Russian warplanes.
Interfax news agency quoted a pro-Russian Chechen leader as saying the 70 rebels had given up over the last 24 hours. He said that matched Saturday's total number of surrenders.
The numbers were at odds with the 95 surrenders announced by Russia's new spokesman on the conflict, Mr Sergei Yastrzhembsky, on Saturday. That report was swiftly denied by the Chechen rebels.
"(The surrenders) have a psychological impact and constitute a breakthrough in events," Gen Bislan Gantamirov was quoted as saying. "They serve as an example for those hundreds of fighters, including youngsters who have been tricked into warfare, or forced under fear of death to fight on the side of the bandits."
Gen Gantamirov, who commands 800 paramilitaries, said he expected further surrenders in the coming days. "On Monday and Tuesday, we will continue talks with those groups of fighters remaining in the town," he told Interfax.
He said an amnesty for those who gave themselves up would remain in force until tomorrow. He would in the meantime hold talks with any rebels considering surrender.
Between 1,500 and 5,000 Chechen guerrillas are believed to be resisting the Russian onslaught in Grozny, where up to 40,000 civilians are huddled in basements with little food. As Moscow presses forward with its assault, the city is shrouded in thick black smoke.
Interfax quoted the military headquarters on the eastern edge of the capital as saying Russian troops were locked in fierce fighting as they struggled to move closer to the strategic Minutka square in the centre of Grozny.
Minutka, a roundabout offering access to central districts, was the scene of battles in the 199496 Chechen war, which ended with a humiliating Russian retreat from the region.
Russian media said Chechen snipers in tall buildings around the square were slowing the troops, which have been fighting for Minutka for 11 days. Russia said it had blocked the square along its southern edge.
Interfax reported that Russian warplanes had flown more than 210 sorties against rebel targets, among the highest daily totals since the fighting began in September.
Four months into the campaign, Chechens have been driven back to strongholds in Grozny and in the mountains in the south, where the Chechen leader, President Aslan Maskhadov, is believed to have based his headquarters.
Interfax quoted a spokesman for Mr Maskhadov as saying Russia had arrested hundreds of Chechen civilians and he demanded their release. He said the civilians were being taken to camps without justification.
European leaders hope to make a new effort to persuade Moscow to halt its campaign in Chechnya during multilateral Middle East talks starting today. EU officials said in Brussels that the External Relations Commissioner, Mr Chris Patten, the foreign policy chief, Mr Javier Solana, and Portuguese Foreign Minister, Mr Jaime Gama, would meet the Russian Foreign Minister, Mr Igor Ivanov.