41.   But over the past week, Chechen fighters have inflicted heavy losses on Russian forces with a series of lightning strikes in areas Moscow has long claimed to control.

42.   But since the Cold War ended, the Russian submarine force has stayed close to home, cut in size by a third.

43.   But the Chechen warlords, now back in Chechnya, vow they will regroup and return to challenge Russian forces in Dagestan.

44.   But the war continues, and tonight the Russian forces seemed to be initiating a new offensive in the wasted city.

45.   But Yeltsen also made clear his opposition to placing Russian forces under NATO military command.

46.   Chechen military officials said the rockets were fired by Russian forces advancing on the capital, which have been pounding Chechnya with airstrikes and artillery for three weeks.

47.   Chechen fighters will now regroup in the Caucasus mountains to the south and try to fight a guerrilla war of harassment and terror against superior Russian forces.

48.   Chechen officials said the explosions came from ground-to-ground missiles fired by Russian forces that now are barely more than eight miles from downtown Grozny.

49.   Chechens insist that such a settlement can only come after the Russian military forces withdraw.

50.   Chechen fighters will now base themselves in the Caucasus mountains to the south, fighting a guerrilla war of harassment and terror against superior Russian forces.