Russian forces redoubled their efforts to seize the Chechen capital, Grozny, yesterday after facing unexpectedly fierce rebel resistance.
Up to 45,000 cold and hungry civilians remained trapped on the third day of the Russian onslaught on the city.
Interfax news agency quoted pro-Moscow paramilitaries, spearheading a methodical advance on key areas, as saying they were baffled by the intensity of rebel resistance.
Their leader, the ex-mayor of Grozny, Bislan Gantamirov, told Interfax news agency from the embattled capital that despite stiffening resistance, his men were fighting their way towards the city centre, trying to split the rebel forces in two.
"One group is moving from the Staropromyslovsky district [in the north-west of the city], the other - from the Rodina farm through Staraya Sunzha [in the east]," he said, adding he had no doubt Grozny would fall before the end of the year.
But his close aides were not so sure. They told Interfax there were at least 2,000 well-armed rebels in the city and taking it before the end of the year might be a problem. Russia tried to seize Grozny on New Year's Eve five years ago, so retaking it by that date would have important symbolic resonance.
Meanwhile, 45,000 civilians were still huddled in basements with little food and firewood. Russian officials told them earlier to flee, but now advise them to stay put and wait for troops to take the city.