GENE RANDALL, CNN ANCHOR: There is renewed fighting in Chechnya after a brief pause for Orthodox Christmas. It now appears that the Chechen rebels are taking the offensive against the Russians. Terry Lloyd has more from Chechnya.</s>TERRY LLOYD, ITN REPORTER (voice-over): Much of the road through Chechnya leading to the rebel stronghold of Grozny was eerily deserted. There was little sign of soldiers, military vehicles or refugees. Our Russian drivers were well-armed and in constant fear of ambush, snipers and kidnappers. The Russian federal army has encircled Grozny, but officially the fighting has been suspended. Moscow says it's out of respect: to allow Russian soldiers to celebrate the Orthodox Christmas and for Muslims in Chechnya to mark the end of Ramadan. They also say it's a chance for trapped civilians to escape. In reality, the Chechen rebels have been inflicting casualties on the Russians and two top generals have been transferred to other duties. Despite the so-called "cease-fire," convoys were forced to halt and our route through to Grozny was suddenly cut short by fighting just outside the capital. (on camera): Grozny lies a few miles along this rode, and as we have got closer, we've come across Russian troops who are caught in a pincer movement by Chechen rebels who are firing from either side of the road. (voice-over): Convoy drivers were ordered to divert and find safer roads and routes through to fellow soldiers in the trenches closer to the front. Hundreds of rebel soldiers who fled Grozny at the outbreak of war are now gathered further south, hiding in a network of mountain caves. There with no civilians at danger, the Russian army has threatened to regroup and renew its attacks. Terry Lloyd, ITN, Chechnya.
Chechen Rebels Take Offensive Against Russian Military