Chechen Rebels Seem to Control Capital

GROZNY, Russia — Rebel forces appeared to be in full control of central Grozny on Tuesday, with not a Russian soldier in sight, despite claims by a top Russian general that government forces had stormed their way into the Chechen capital during fierce fighting.

Col. Gen. Valery L. Manilov, deputy chief of the general staff, said Russian forces had advanced to within about a mile of downtown Grozny and that Russian troops and a pro-Moscow Chechen militia had squeezed the rebels into a small area.

Defense Minister Igor D. Sergeyev said that despite strong resistance, Russian troops had managed to “drastically change” the situation in Grozny, but he gave no details. He also rejected Western claims that Russia’s bombing and artillery strikes were excessive and needlessly endangering civilians.

Most signs indicated that the Russian offensive was making little progress, despite the optimistic reports by the military about the operation launched three days ago.