But the school was burned down in a bombing raid. My house is no more. They will not cease the struggle, they say, until they regain the freedom forfeited for more than a century to the Czars and communists. And after 20 months of bloody, terrifying warfare, the death of many relatives and comrades must be avenged. In fact, each Russian bomb or shell only pours more oil on the fire and brings more fighters to the rebel ranks.
Ideology also brings arms.
Muslim countries have kept up the supply of weapons to the Chechens through at least 20 smuggling routes. Other arms come from closer to home. With typical audacity the Chechens have used captured or purchased Russian field radios to intercept messages and disrupt enemy communications. In at least one case they succeeded in bringing in a Russian air strike on Russian troops. Employing classic guerrilla tactics, the Chechens are an elusive foe.