LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: In southern Chechnya, massive explosions were reported today as Russian force unleashed more airstrikes. The battle in the breakaway Russian republic is taking a heavy tolls on civilians, especially those in the embattled capital Grozny. Our upcoming report contains some pictures that viewers may find disturbing. Here now, CNN's Steve Harrigan with a look at life under the Russian bombardment.</s>STEVE HARRIGAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): There are anywhere from 15,000 to 40,000 civilians still in Grozny, but that number gets smaller each day. Nina Churasova (ph) went out to look for firewood. Now, she's looking for her mother.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): She was right here on the couch when I left. I told her "Mama, if they start bombing go into the basement." Now, I'm digging and hoping maybe she heard the planes. But she's a little deaf.</s>HARRIGAN: Nothing is visible beneath a pile of rubble. But Nina has a bad feeling.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): It seems to me she is there.</s>HARRIGAN: Two neighbors help with the search. Nina tells them what to look for.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): She has on a green coat, that's what I hope to see. She was always cold in it, a green coat with a white collar.</s>HARRIGAN: Nina's hope is answered. The 87-year-old woman is pulled from the wreckage, crushed to death. But for Nina, there is no time to mourn.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): We'll dig a pit and bury her in the blanket. Sometime later we'll rebury her properly.</s>HARRIGAN: A proper funeral will have to wait until the war is over. Steve Harrigan, CNN, Moscow.
Russian Bombardment Leaves Grozny Families Under Siege