Grozny - Russian troops were reported yesterday to have taken control of a strategic square controlling routes to the heart of the Chechen capital, Grozny. Russian officials also claimed more Chechen rebels had surrendered.
Reports that Russian troops had control of Grozny's Minutka Square would indicate an important gain after a month of little progress and heavy losses.
Private NTV television and state-owned RTR said Russian troops had seized the square, although Russia's main spokesman on the offensive said only a third of the square had been taken.
