Despite the lengthening odds faced by outmanned Chechen forces, it was by no means clear that President Dzhokhar Dudayev was backing down. He has steadfastly refused to negotiate unless Russian troops withdraw from Chechnya.
Radio Mayak of Moscow and the Interfax news agency, citing unnamed sources in the Chechen capital Grozny, said Dudayev had sent a telegram notifying Russia of his intent to hold talks. They said Dudayev called the offer unconditional, but previous offers he also labeled unconditional have in fact held to the withdrawal demand.
A spokesman for the Russian government press service said he could not confirm the reports, and Chechen officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
Heavy fighting raged on the edges of Grozny as Russian forces tried to press their attack on the rebel capital from north and east.
Thick clouds of smoke rose from the industrial district as Russian bombers roared overhead and artillery thudded on the fringes of Grozny. Air strikes pounded the already-devastated city throughout the day.
Dudayev, now operating out of a bomb shelter under the presidential palace in besieged Grozny, broke off peace talks after three days earlier this month amid Russian bombing attacks.
In the telegram, according to the reports, Dudayev expressed hope that Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin would participate in talks but the Chechen leadership also "agrees to hold such talks at any other level."
On Wednesday night, Foreign Minister Andrei Kozyrev said the door remained open for talks. But, he said, if the Chechens refused to work toward a political solution "as much force as is necessary will be used to settle this matter."
The Russians hold a huge advantage in manpower and equipment, with as many as 40,000 troops to only several thousand Chechens, and have made advances in recent days.
He said at least 130 civilians were killed Wednesday when Russia resumed air strikes after a two-day lull despite President Boris Yeltsin's promise to stop bombing Grozny.
Chechen officials told Interfax that Russian forces had halted their advance on Grozny and were digging trenches on the edge of the city some four to six kilometers from the center.
Defense Minister Pavel Grachev said Moscow's forces would advance into Grozny to seize weapons but would not storm the city with all-out force.
"We do not intend anything of the kind, since there are civilians in the town," Interfax quoted him as telling journalists in Mozdok, Russia's general headquarters for the offensive. "But we will continue to advance deep into the town with a view to confiscating weapons and eradicating gangs."
In Khankala, seven kilometers southwest of Grozny, every house, about 50 structures in all, was in ruins after several days of fierce fighting.
Chechen Vice President Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev said a Russian warplane had been shot down near Zony, about 45 kilometers south of Grozny. There was no independent confirmation.
He also told Interfax that Russian forces bombed and shelled several outlying villages, causing civilian casualties.
The Russian side said its forces had destroyed Dudayev's personal helicopter and two bridges over the Argun River.
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