In this story: Primakov opposes all-out assault Chechen president convenes congress Putin: Chechen parliament not legitimate Civilians suffer RELATED STORIES, SITES

October 3, 1999
Web posted at: 9:16 p.m. EDT (0116 GMT)

GROZNY, Russia (CNN) -- Tens of thousands of Russian troops massed on the borders of Chechnya on Sunday as thousands of frightened civilians fled their homes in the North Caucasus region amid fears a wider conflict was imminent.

A Russian military spokesman in Mozdok, outside the Chechen border, said by telephone no fighting was under way early Sunday. But Russian forces setting up a security zone around Chechnya had moved up to 10 kilometers (six miles) into Chechen territory.

"The language of communication with bandits is simple. The moment they open fire or provoke us, we destroy them," he said.

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Meanwhile, Russian pilots continued to carry out "precise, pinpoint" air strikes on Chechen targets, he said.

Russian officials said Saturday their troops have crossed into Chechnya and engaged in skirmishes with Islamic rebels there. But they said no full-scale assault was planned.

Russian troops moved into the village of Borozdinovka, located three kilometers (two miles) inside Chechnya, according to Abdul Magomedov, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry in the Russian territory of Dagestan. Russian forces tried to enter the village Friday night, but were repelled by Muslim guerrillas, the ITAR-Tass news agency said.

The troops entered the village without opposition after Russian artillery pounded the village from across the border Saturday, Magomedov said.

About 50,000 Russian soldiers were deployed on the border with Chechnya, the scene of a bloody and unsuccessful 1994- 1996 war to suppress a Chechen independence movement. Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev said Russian forces had set up a security zone along the border to prevent further incursions by the rebels, who want to create an Islamic state in southern Russia.

Valery Manilov, the army's first deputy chief of staff, said the security zone would give Russia "systemic control of all and everything that crosses in and out of Chechnya," ITAR- Tass reported. He also said Russian artillery and aircraft were striking suspected guerrilla positions.

Russia's air force claims it has carried out more than 350 raids on Chechnya in the past two weeks. Russia began air raids on Chechnya after Muslim militants based in the territory invaded Dagestan in August.

The militants have also been blamed for a series of bombings in Russia last month that killed about 300 people.

Russia's popular former prime minister, Yevgeny Primakov, on Saturday came out against an all-out assault on the rebel province, raising the political stakes behind an intensifying conflict.

"I am opposed to a ground operation in Chechnya," Itar- Tass news agency quoted Primakov as saying. He said a new Chechen war would isolate Russia and cause massive military and civilian casualties.

Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov convened a national congress Saturday and accused Russia of using recent raids into Dagestan as a pretext to start a war with Chechnya.

The congress adopted a resolution that said a political way to end the conflict should be found. It also said there should be an immediate halt to all kidnappings, thefts and other crimes.

Chechnya's military field commanders reaffirmed that they would remain subordinate to the authority of Maskhadov, said Isa Idigov, a former foreign minister who chaired the congress.

"As military leaders, they will fulfill any of our decisions," he said.

In addition to the Russian military operation, a political offensive was under way. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Friday that the Chechen parliament elected in 1997 was not a legitimate body. He said the real leaders are members of the Russian-backed parliament that was disbanded in 1996.

On Thursday, Putin insisted that Russia still controlled Chechnya and could station troops there at any time.

Putin's position was backed by Marat Baglai, chairman of Russia's Constitutional Court.

"Sending troops to Chechnya is lawful," Baglai said. "If a mutiny emerges in any Russian region, the use of force there is proper."

The tough stance by Russia came as thousands more civilians fled the Russian air attacks. Officials in neighboring Ingushetia said more than 100,000 people have come across the border in what they described as a massive humanitarian crisis.

The refugees were straining the resources of the surrounding, impoverished Russian regions. Several tent camps have been set up, but aid officials said the camps fall far short of what is needed.

Moscow Correspondent Mike Hanna, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.