KHANKALA, January 31 (AVN) - Chechen rebels defending Grozny have left their positions near the Minutka Square almost without resistance, a source in the Interior Ministry operative group under the unified federal headquarters said on Monday.
The rebels retreated after federal attack units which were advancing from the Leninsky and Oktyabrsky districts met halfway and effectively surrounded the militants, the source told the Military News Agency.
Additional Interior Ministry and police units enforced by snipers are currently advancing to the square. They will form part of the units which have started combing the houses left by guerrillas.
According to federal data as of 13.00 Moscow time (1000 GMT), federal artillery is firing non-stop at residential blocks near Lenin Prospekt avenue in order to prevent rebel counterattacks in the Minutka Square.