Fighting In Chechnya; Helicopter Downed

Fri., May 31, 1996

Compiled From Wire Services

Two days before a cease-fire is to begin in Chechnya, new fighting cast further doubt Thursday on President Boris Yeltsin’s assurances that the 17-month war is over.

Rebel forces shot down a Russian military helicopter near the village of Gordali, about 30 miles southeast of the Chechen capital, military spokesman Lt. Gen. Andrei Ivanov said. Two Russian servicemen died in the attack Wednesday, he said.

The attack occurred despite Ivanov’s assurances that the rebel military commander, Aslan Maskhadov, had ordered his troops to stop assaults on Russian soldiers.

Yeltsin, who is running for re-election and is anxious to show he is making progress in Chechnya, announced the cease-fire Monday after meeting with rebel leader Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev. It is to take effect Saturday.

Yeltsin then went to Chechnya on Tuesday and told Russian troops they had won.

The mediator who helped produce the cease-fire said he was confident both sides will abide by it.

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Fighting In Chechnya; Helicopter Downed

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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