Residents who spent the winter sheltering in their cellars are now trying to come to terms with their ruined city as Russian troops establish full control. A Russian tank patrols the streets of the shattered capital. Federal troops inspect a damaged armoured personnel carrier left behind by fleeing Chechen rebels.
Russian troops comb the blitzed city for rebels left behind in the retreat.
Food and fuel are in short supply, and field kitchens have been set up for those left in the city. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Links to other Europe stories are at the foot of the page.