| Submit your comments on this article |
| Caucasus |
| Russers beat up Chechens in Ingushetia battle... |
| 2002-09-26 |
| The Russian military says its forces have beaten off a large group of Chechen rebels after a fierce battle in the republic of Ingushetia. At least 10 Russian servicemen were killed in the clash near the Chechen border. Russian military officials say that 30 or 40 rebels were killed and five captured. Chechen sources say that seven fighters were killed, five are missing and 10 were injured. A British cameraman was also killed. Russian forces say about 100 rebels have escaped from the fighting and are being pursued in forested areas. And now they intend to send conscripts into the forested areas after them... Rebels also shot down a Russian army attack helicopter - killing both crew members - during the battle around the village of Galashki, about 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the administrative border with Chechnya. Russian officials say that a large rebel formation of up to 300 men had crossed into the area from Georgia, which said on Thursday that it was determined to eject Chechen rebels based on its territory. Sounds like they managed to do that. Probably not the way they were bragging, though... |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #2 I remember, once upon a time, that the old Soviet army had special forces -- pretty good ones. What's happened to them? Sounds like this would be the place for highly trained, motivated small groups as opposed to sweeping the forests with poorly trained conscripts. By the time one of those poor schmoes finds something interesting, he'll be dead. BOOM! "Over there, Sarge! Alexi just found another Chechen land mine!" |
| Posted by: Steve White 2002-09-26 10:50:18 |
| #1 The spetsnaz were/are good, however, the Russians are so broke that training has gone right out the window - and got kicked clear into the neighbor's yard. See Steven Den Beste (USS Clueless) for a good discussion of the former Soviet military (good punch, short range). Essentially the Russians could do Memorial Day weekend, but you needed the US Army to do all of spring break. |
| Posted by: Michael Orris 2002-09-26 18:39:56 |