There are reportedly 30,000 civilians trapped in the Chechen-held areas of Grozny. They live underground in civil defense shelters, the basements of bombed out buildings, or in destroyed factories. Almost all the people are elderly pensioners.
Food is scarce.
They are without heat, light, water or sanitation and the harsh winter conditions have been particularly hard on them. They are overwhelmingly ethnic Russians or other slavs, almost all Chechen civilians have left the city since the war began. Most stayed because they were long-term residents of the city and expected the troubles to end quickly. The Chechen leadership has said they will support the evacuation as long as it is done safely. If the working group is unable to bring about a Moscow mandated cease-fire within the limited time that is available, a civil action to force the issue in the field should be organized.