Vedeno encircled by Russians again Ruslan Isayev, North Caucasus – “Mopping-up” operations have been resumed in Vedeno district, southeast Chechnya.
Passport inspections are carried out in the district centre Vedeno and all roads leading to the district centre Vedeno have been blocked. Two days ago, federal troops in the district were reinforced with additional armed forces making about 200 armoured and other military vehicles.
As Russian soldiers say, the “mopping-up” operation is a result of numerous recent attacks by Chechen fighters and Vedeno residents cooperate with Russian authorities. Ten days ago, an unknown assassin killed the district military commander’s secretary Luiza Gaziyeva who consequently died in hospital a week later. Moreover, as eye-witnesses from Lenin Street say, a column of Russian military cars was blasted in the district a few days ago claiming lives of five and injuring eleven Russian soldiers.
Vedeno residents say the “mopping-up” operation is conducted severely as Russian soldiers smash doors open, ransack and break furniture, and take away valuables. They also detained several local people who have no connection to Chechen armed groups. Chechen people call such victims of Russian tyranny “dela pekarash” (innocent suffering God’s people).
During the last three weeks there have been several attacks against local administration officials and the pro-Moscow police members. Five houses owned by people actively collaborating with Russian soldiers were set on fire.
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