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Today's paper. Last Updated: 05/30/2012

Opposition Begins Siege Of Grozny

Opposition leaders said Friday evening they had begun to storm Grozny, the capital of the breakaway Russian region of Chechnya, in an attempt to oust Chechen President Dzhokhar Dudayev, Itar-Tass reported.


Shortly before the reported assault, Chechnya's Vice President Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev appeared on national television urging Grozny residents to "come to defend Chechnya's freedom and independence," Itar-Tass said.


The opposition offensive followed a morning raid by helicopter gunships that blasted government positions on Grozny's northern outskirts.


The government said five people were killed and 18 were wounded.


In addition, Grozny's airport was seriously damaged, as were several civilian aircraft on the ground, according to Interfax.


Opposition spokesmen confirmed the raid.


Chechen government officials said the Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters that participated in the attack belonged to Russia and had Russian military markings.




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