SONIA RUSELER, CNN ANCHOR: Russian troops and Chechen rebels are fighting for control of several neighborhoods in the capital, Grozny. The heaviest fighting is reported in the area of central Grozny that is still under rebel control. Meanwhile, Moscow's troops are evacuating ethnic Russian residents of Grozny, while their Chechen neighbors stay behind. CNN's Steve Harrigan has more.</s>STEVE HARRIGAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Maria Andreevna (ph) has not seen the light of day for two months. "What will I do," she asks. "Where is God? My son promised to come back. What about my chickens?" It was a world of darkness for Maria and eight others in this basement, Russians hiding from Russian bombs. With the Russian army now in control of this part of Grozny, they are scrambling to get out. They take what they can carry on the back of a government truck and leave the rest, including their homes, behind. (on camera): The city of Grozny paid a heavy price for the tough battle here. Now in the middle of winter, it is not easy to find a house that still has a roof intact. (voice-over): And there is no government truck to take the Chechens away to safety.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): We live like rats, like rats in a basement: no food, no water, and anything we did have, the Russian soldiers have already stolen.</s>HARRIGAN: Even from those rescued, there is little gratitude.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): The whole street has been destroyed. Is that how you catch a few bandits? by dropping bombs on everything? God will put an end to this soon, won't he?</s>HARRIGAN: There are no answers to the 74-year-old's questions. And just across town, the bombs continue to fall. Steve Harrigan, CNN, Grozny, Chechnya.
Waiting for Rescue in Grozny