31.   Russian commanders say the Chechen fighters inside Grozny cannot cross their lines.

32.   Russian military commanders insist that all their tactical nuclear weapons are safely stored and accounted for.

33.   Russian military commanders temporary halted the intensive air and artillery bombardment of the breakaway republic on Friday, but kept up the ground offensive in the capital Grozny.

34.   Russian military commanders, meanwhile, said that they would soon capture Grozny.

35.   Russian commanders also said they were scaling back air and artillery strikes on Grozny, although details were sketchy and statements on the matter contradictory.

36.   Russian commanders do not plan a frontal assault on the capital but plan to move cautiously to take Grozny neighborhood by neighborhood.

37.   Russian commanders insist they have streamlined their command structure in Dagestan and have vowed to produce a victory within the next two weeks.

38.   Russian commanders boast about their use of maneuver and deception.

39.   Russian commanders have also improved their tactics, attacking far more deliberately and with greater force, American officials said.

40.   Russian commanders have not acknowledged any losses in the town.