No details provided by our government about where, but apparently fairly shortrange missiles that TPTB regard as "non-reportable," meaning not seen as a major threat.

-- RB Zaxus (goldcactus@newmexico.com), December 31, 1999

Answers

Update on CNN just said to consider those missiles as "within theatre," meaning that they are part of ongoing battles in eastern Europe.

-- 007 (cabs007@juno.com), December 31, 1999.

us and russia had an agreement not to report missles launched in chcenya,,theater of war...per newsradio.

-- (stillcounting@calicoast.calm), December 31, 1999.

Three Scud's launched at Chechneya.

Wonder what kind of warheads?

-- BOOM (MIL TYPE@MIL.GOV), December 31, 1999.

Laura,

It's too bad those missiles can't be deleted out of the sky the way you can be deleted off this board. Not surprising that you would find something humorous about missile attacks against real people, Laura. You're so delusional you probaly think it's a video game.

-- (TrollPatrol@sheesh.now), December 31, 1999.

still wonder why people keep spreading this non-humor rumors, there's no truth in this report.

-- william david van Collenburg (imd11@xs4all.nl), December 31, 1999.

Russia Forces Push Grozny Offensive

By MIGUEL GIL MORENO Associated Press Writer

GROZNY, Russia (AP) -- Russian tanks in hills on the edge of Chechnya's capital blasted rapid-fire barrages into the city Friday, working to drive out rebels as Russian ground forces gingerly tried to advance toward the city center.

The Russian military claimed to have broken through the rebels' first line of defense in the capital, Grozny, and to have taken control of the Staropromyslovsky neighborhood, about two miles from the city's center. But there were no signs that Russian forces were making quick advances.

A rebel leader said his fighters were standing firm.

``Federal troops have not advanced by a single meter,'' said Khamzat Gilayev, commander of the units defending Grozny.

A line of about 25 tanks in the hills above Staropromyslovsky fired into the city one after another in rapid succession. Meanwhile, civilians cowered in low-ceiling basements where they have hidden for weeks with meager food supplies. One family showed a reporter a larder bare of anything other than a jar of fruit.

***** The Pentagon said Friday that Russia launched three ***** Scud missiles into ***** Chechnya. The missiles were monitored as part of ***** the U.S-Russia joint ***** surveillance of any activity that might be related ***** to the year 2000 computer glitch, ***** but U.S. Undersecretary of State Thomas Pickering ***** said the launches were not Y2K-related.

There had been no previous reports of Russia using such heavy weaponry in Chechnya. A duty officer at Russia's Defense Ministry said he had no information about the report and no one answered at Russia's Strategic Missile Forces or Russian Air Defense offices.

Russia attacked Chechnya in September, aiming to wipe out militants who invaded neighboring Dagestan this summer. Islamic militants also are blamed for a series of apartment explosions that killed some 300 people in Russia.

Russian President Boris Yeltsin's surprise resignation on Friday appeared to leave Russia's strategy in Chechnya unchanged. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Russia's acting president, has championed the war and vigorously defended Russia against western criticism of the offensive.

After months of bombing and shelling the capital, the Russians launched an operation on Dec. 25 to capture Grozny, the last major Chechen city under rebel control and the war's key political prize. But Russian forces have been held up by heavily mined roads and tough rebel resistance.

Groups of 10 to 15 guerrillas moved swiftly through the city on Friday, firing from prearranged positions. The Russian troops were trying to avoid head-on clashes with the guerrillas, who challenge Russia's superior manpower and weaponry with formidable street-fighting skills, the Interfax news agency cited military sources as saying.

Russian forces on Friday also were fighting to isolate rebels in the rugged mountains of Chechnya's southern border with Georgia. In the narrow passes and gorges of the region, Russian forces are vulnerable to guerrilla attacks, and the federal troops have moved slowly into the fog-shrouded terrain.

Both sides said they were expecting large-scale fighting over the New Years holiday, with the Chechens hoping to catch celebrating Russian troops by surprise. Russian Interior Ministry troops have been ordered to strengthen protection of their bases.

The Russian public has generally supported the war. Many Russians are frustrated by the kidnappings and other violence that have plagued Chechnya and seeped into surrounding regions since the end of the last Chechen war in 1996.

AP-NY-12-31-99 1814EST

-- hiding in plain (sight@edge of.nowhere), December 31, 1999.

Wheres the link for this! We need proof!

-- Sheila (Sheilamars@aol.com), December 31, 1999.

OOPS! It was hiding in plain sight! Sorry.

-- Sheila (Sheilamars@aol.com), December 31, 1999.

hmmm ... guess some people can't read .... another stunning success for the US public education system ... :-(

Try looking at the very top of my post!

Dr. Rev. Michael ThunderLight

-- hiding in plain (sight@edge of.nowhere), December 31, 1999.

apology accepted ...

Nerves are a bit on edge ... this is just starting, things do not look as good as many want to believe!

-- hiding in plain (sight@edge of.nowhere), December 31, 1999.