An apparent rocket attack on the Chechen capital Grozny yesterday killed scores of people and wounded many more. And Russian statements are widely at odds with reports from correspondents on the ground. The only thing that Russian officials seem to agree on is that there were several blasts yesterday evening in the center of Grozny. Russia has claimed responsibility for the attack, but denies launching rockets against the city and denies that any civilians were killed.
Eyewitness reports from Grozny, however, give a different picture.
Later we were told that a similar rocket had hit the Grozny central market. It is in the very center of town. And at that time of day, the market is bustling. We went to hospital number 9, the biggest one in the republic, and there we found a horrible sight. The floor was covered in blood.