January 25, 2000
Web posted at: 1:35 a.m. EST (0635 GMT)

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MOSCOW (CNN) -- Security forces in Moscow were on heightened alert Wednesday, prepared for possible terrorist attacks that Russia fears may be sparked by its military campaign in Chechnya.

The move came as Chechen fighters fiercely resisted Russian forces' attempts to take a strategically key square in the rebel capital of Grozny.

Russian troops who returned to Gudermes from Grozny late Tuesday evening said federal forces were still at least 400 meters (yards) from Minutka Square, which Russians have been trying to seize for days.

The square, near a Russian-held bridge across the Sunzha River that bisects the city, could give Russian forces substantial leverage for moving into downtown Grozny.

Taking the capital would be the war's biggest political prize.

Russian aircraft and artillery also continued their attacks in the steep southern mountains, where an estimated 6,000 rebels are based.

Russia says its much-criticized assault on Chechnya was launched nearly six months ago after rebels staged bomb blasts in Moscow and other cities. The rebels deny any involvement in the blasts.

Eight people have been arrested in connection with four apartment bombings in Russia that killed some 300 people last year.

Now Moscow claims Chechen rebels may be planning to carry out further attacks.

Last week, Acting President Vladimir Putin said Russia's security organs had information that further terrorist attacks were being planned.

On Tuesday, Interfax news agency quoted Moscow police as saying they were stepping up patrols in the city after receiving new threats.

Contributing to tension in Moscow is the mounting toll of the Chechen campaign.

Interfax quoted military and police officials as saying the official death toll among Russian troops since the start of the fighting now stood at 1,173 -- higher than previously reported.

The Itar-Tass news agency on Tuesday reported that Russia's military has acknowledged that more than 900 Russian troops have been killed.

Underlining the Russians' growing casualty list, the army on Tuesday held a funeral ceremony in the North Caucasus town of Vladikavkaz for General Mikhail Malofeyev, killed in Grozny.

Correspondent Mark Armstrong, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

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