Julia Kalinina, RU

"Moskovsky Komsomolets", February 8, 1995, pp. 1-2

I would like to understand very much why the process of constitutional order restoration goes so slowly and hard in Chechnia. Why, in spite of overwhelming advantage, the army can not occupy Grozny or block up ways to it? Of course, there are some objective reasons: badly organized coordination of Federal forces, untalented command, undrilled boys are sent to fight. While Chechnes are prepared for war, they are religious fanatics, they know the city well, and they have heaps of weapons. Understandable. But the third month of unsuccessful war of a huge army against a small city is too much. It goes beyond "objective" reasons.

It turned out to be senseless to search for reasons in Russian side. All efforts to realize how Russian soldier lives at the front came to "Brown's movement" between different and various officials of military base in Mozdok. Nobody could explain anything clear enough. At first, they damned their command, at second -- they damned Chechens. Than -- journalists and Kovaliov. The wounded were happy that it was already over for them. I didn't see faces distorted by hatred against the enemy, maybe, because I could not reach to the very warfare zone.

I had to go to Chechen side for explanations and reasons. I suppose, I didn't find a simple explanation, but I saw how they live and fight, and how the oppression and interaction are organized, and the way they think and feel, and the way they behave. And what on earth are they.

WAR AND WAY OF LIFE

Life in Grozny seems to consist of two layers. The upper layer is endless bombardments, artillery bombings, attacks, offensives, sharpshooters, fire, cannonade, and total darkness. The lower layer is there where life goes with all its attributes, needs, and natural requirements. These are basements. Chechens pass from lower layer to the upper one only on business. To get some water, or food, or to fight. In general, it seems that the city has got used to war like to a natural disaster. The city has learnt to live in such conditions. Citizens have learnt to drive with headlights shut down, to move during artillery bombing, to catch pigeons for supper, to lay gas onto basements, to get water somewhere.

I did not visit those poor things who stayed in Grozny because they could not afford to leave the city. I know, there are thousands of them there. Mainly, they are Russian. They freeze and fall ill in basements. They are lacking food, they bury dead neighbours simply in their yards and cure their wounds themselves. They live in regions that, they say, are occupied by Federal troops. But in fact they live at the battle field. Nobody helps them, nobody moves them from there, nobody supplies them with food and medicines. Everything that gets into Grozny by means of Ministry on Extraordinary Situations immediately gets somehow to the market. They can buy, but they have no money.

Those who fight live the other way. They are mobile. Squads certainly have their own vehicles. Squads and command are connected by field stationary radio stations and walkie-talkies. Basements for the lower layer are chosen and equipped carefully. Gas is laid on there, and electric power is transmitted from engine power stations. They equip furnaces and stoves. It is damp, of course, but good enough for living. There are "bedrooms" with folding and plank beds. There are dining rooms, where girls cook meals in huge pots for everybody. There is a cabinet for command. There is a first-aid post, where even surgical operations are sometimes done. Local TV works by some miracle, in evenings they broadcast news in the city. There is a corridor -- a place for a gig. I saw "men of war" of a tender age of 15-20 years, listening to radio, something like Ace of Base, and dancing. They hindered movement of pots with boiled water from the kitchen to "medicals".

Everybody is armed, and does not put his machine gun aside. Clothed mainly in khaki garments, many in military camouflage. Everybody has to get weapons and clothing himself: naturally, there is no any centralized supply. Before every offensive (Chechens are always informed about), commanders cast lots by matches what squad will "take" next column. Russian army is the main source of weapons and ammunition. Every "military vehicle" is distributed beforehand -- who will "take" it, so everything will not be mixed in the battle and later, while distribution of "the prey". A "man of war", who works as a driver in his squad, complains of they won't allow him to shoot at a tank or armoured vehicle. Once you are a driver, drive the car. Getting weapons in a battle is not your business. I saw a machine gun with a childish label on its butt: a pink shark. "Navy infantry gun,"-- they explained.

They call each other "man of war" and laugh at how funny it sounds. "Where is your gang? Went for dinner?" I met only two men who related to weapons by their profession. They are local militia man from Achkhoy-Martan and ex-bodyguard of mayor Luzhkov (as he introduced himself), NOW doing the same work. Just changed the object of guard. Those two men were the closest to the "man of war" rank.

Of hundreds of people I've seen in Grozny, I didn't notice anybody drunk, even a little. In the evening they play cards, chess, or listen to radio. "We understand everything. In Russia, one will win elections if Chechnia will be defeated. Vice versa, others will win elections if Russia will lose Chechnia,"-- was I shocked by wisdom of "a man of war" of draftee age. Seniors fight, but slaves die.

MOTHERS-GUESTS

I visited the "basement" that was partially moved from under the President's Palace. Anyway, the hospital was the same. "The heroic,"-- said chairwoman of the Committee of Soldiers' Mothers Maria Ivanovna Kirbasova. Having lived in Moscow, Maria Ivanovna lives in basements since January, she knows everybody and loves them, and has become loved by everybody. Her own son does not fight in Chechnia, but she obviously could not leave soldiers' mothers alone. There are at least thirty-seven of them in the basement now.

Captives (of the Palace, and the newer ones) live in Grozny too, but in the other basement. They are fed with the same food Chechens eat themselves. They are allowed to meet their mothers. Prisoner of war Sergey Altukhov, 81 infantry regiment, told us that recently they intended to exchange him. He even spoke to a colonel of interior forces. "He tried to persuade me to join them. I refused. Everything may befall with them." Some of guys are captives for the second time. The first time they were set free, but their command sent them to hell again.

Hardly all parents could find their sons in captivity. The majority of them do not know where their children are. They simply sit in the basement and hope, while Chechens feed and water them, and give them beds, and take with themselves: those are guests, so no one may drive a guest away. Though, so many extra people are a hard burden.

I saw defense headquarters chief general Maskhadov arrived in "our" basement at night on business. He was awfully tired. They probably know what soldiers' mothers are, and how terribly hard are conversations with them, while they are crying and screaming and begging. How hard is to oppose them and how much courage and spiritual energy it requires not to cede them. Russian command is afraid of them above all, and hide themselves, if only not to meet them. Maskhadov talked with mothers during an hour.

The conversation ended like that: Maskhadov told mothers: "You must visit Russian generals like you visit me, and I will give all captives to you."

That is that mothers can not do. Maria Ivanovna was allowed to use command communication several times. All frequencies are well-known, and Chechen side may communicate our generals at any moment, and they did it repeatedly. During last two weeks, three times Chechens suggested to declare armistice to gather dead bodies and wounded and to transport mothers across the front line. General Babichev replied "we have no time to do that" and didn't connect any more.

Mothers now want to cross the front line without any armistice. It doesn't matter for them now, they do not fear. Though, Chechens do not let them go, because, they say, they can not provide security for them.

THEY DO NOT FEAR

They do not fear at all. Nobody is nervous even a little bit. They are absolutely tranquil, like people, who are sure they are right.

We entered the city during a bombardment, in total darkness, knowing no way. A mine exploded so close, that splinters reached our car. I don't know what could occur if a militiaman who was on the street by chance would not help us. He got in the car and showed the way, explaining where to go in a calm manner. He did not fear, and what is more, he realized that we are in panic, and tried to calm us.

He took a spike of a spike mine out of his pocket and presented us as a souvenir. The non-selective weapon forbidden by International Convention of year 1980.

They are taught not to fear. Elder men explain the younger ones: "If you see an enemy in front of you, maybe, he is not armed. If he is, his weapon might not be loaded. If he fires, he might miss. If even it hits, the bullet might pass through you body touching no vitally important organs. There is nothing to fear."

Girls fight there too, and do not fear too. I had a conversation with Milena, an Ingush girl from Grozny. She looks like nineteen, but she says she is 23. She is beautiful, with round face, gray eyes, and a short haircut. Clothed in camouflage, with a machine gun and a green stripe. She told me there are many girls there, but she is the only one in her squad. She ran away from home and fights the second month already. She was on TV, and wished best regards to her parents: "Don't worry, the war will end, and I'll be back."

"Guys in your squad must be trying to guard you in the battle?" She smiles: "They try. But succeed not very much."

Aizan works in a hospital. She is beautiful too, smiling and amicable. She wears Chechen national garment, not a camouflage. Though, also with a green stripe. Her own mother led her to the basement to fight for liberty.

The self-defense headquarters chief in Achkhoy-Martan Magomet Zelimkhanov, an old man, told me: "If a need appears, I will take arms. If no arms, I will take an axe. Not for courage, but for pride."

It seems, this is the only more or less reasonable explanation of two month opposition, that can not be suppressed fully by our army. Our troops fight "for courage" at the best. Chechens fight "for pride". I believe, when they do it "for pride", they do it better.