Explosion, Heavy Fighting Reported in Grozny, Chechnya

[Bosonic]

Source: Voice of America

A loud explosion and sounds of heavy fighting have been reported in Chechnya’s capital of Grozny, according to sources on Twitter and some media outlets in the region.

Multiple sources on Twitter are reporting that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s motorcade has been seen pulling into the Kremlin in the middle of the night, around the time the unrest unfolded in Grozny.

Grozny has been the epicenter of two bloody wars between Russian forces and Chechen rebels in the past two decades.

Some Russian media outlets are reporting that three policemen have been shot dead in fire fights with militants. According to some tweets, the militants number in the hundreds.

Read more: http://www.voanews.com/content/explosion-and-heavy-fighting-reported-in-grozny-chechnya/2545263.html

---

Russian military on alert in Moscow, Grozny amid new crisis

RUSSIAN tanks have spilt into the streets of Grozny and Moscow’s airspace appears to have been closed after a fresh outbreak of violence.

Unconfirmed local media reports suggest militants have seized control of the Press House media facility in Grozny, initiating what its Russian occupiers call an “anti terrorist operation”.

Reports suggests the attackers killed three police officers as they stormed the Grozny building, which they now occupy.

Tanks, troops and armoured personnel carriers have since surrounded the scene and there are reports of ongoing gunfire.

http://www.news.com.au/world/russian-military-on-alert-in-moscow-grozny-amid-new-crisis/story-fndir2ev-1227144589099

[amandabeech]

1. ISIS in Grozny, perhaps?

A two front war for Vladdie? How nice.

[bemildred]

18. I've been wondering when things would heat up there.

Perhaps the Chechens decided prospects were more rewarding back home, now that Syria is largely reduced to rubble and refugees.

[Warren Stupidity]

2. Well this is confusing. Are we supposed to cheer the islamists 'cause we hates the russians,

or are we supposed to cheer the russians 'cause we hates the islamists?

[Renew Deal]

4. The answer lies here

[joshcryer]

8. Or are we supposed to cheer the separatists?

[Warren Stupidity]

13. seriously? You really want to support islamic extremists?

Worked out pretty well in Syria, right?
Libya is now a paradise.

[LuvLoogie]

10. No. We cheer them both on

because one set of fuck heads is fighting the other set of fuck heads.

[leftynyc]

12. Just hope they kick eachother's asses

You don't have to root for a "winner".

[bemildred]

17. Just be sure to hate someone, or else you won't be doing your part.

[Warren Stupidity]

19. Well sure, I've got that part down.

[christx30]

3. Wow. Just read the timeline of

the Russian/Chechnya conflict. Sounds like Chechnya really doesn't want to be a part of Russia.

[joshcryer]

9. They wouldn't be if Russia didn't use total war tactics last time.

The Chechans don't want to see that again.

[Adsos Letter]

20. No kidding.

The center of Grozny practically disappeared.

[mahina]

11. Wondering if anyone here saw the film '12'?

12 Angry Men, told in a Russian/Chechen context. It's a knockout.

[pampango]

15. "Sounds like Chechnya really doesn't want to be a part of Russia." Indeed.

Apparently the acceptability of ethnically distinct people wanting independence varies depending on whether those people find themselves in Ukraine or in Russia. One of the advantages of having a large, powerful military is that you get to decide which group of separatists are 'good' and which are 'bad'.

[NickB79]

21. I'm sure Putin will let them have free, fair elections to claim independence any day now

[denbot]

5. How soon will faux news blame Obama for subverting Putie

I swear this is a possibility.

[jakeXT]

6. Thank god for the Saudis

As-Safir said Prince Bandar pledged to safeguard Russia’s naval base in Syria if the Assad regime is toppled, but he also hinted at Chechen terrorist attacks on Russia’s Winter Olympics in Sochi if there is no accord. “I can give you a guarantee to protect the Winter Olympics next year. The Chechen groups that threaten the security of the games are controlled by us,” he allegedly said.

Prince Bandar went on to say that Chechens operating in Syria were a pressure tool that could be switched on an off. “These groups do not scare us. We use them in the face of the Syrian regime but they will have no role in Syria’s political future.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/oilandgas/10266957/Saudis-offer-Russia-secret-oil-deal-if-it-drops-Syria.html

[joshcryer]

7. Putin losing his hold.

Islamists / terrorists / separatists taking advantage of it.

[MBS]

14. " " " n/t

[pampango]

16. "Putin described the attackers as rebels, suggesting they were receiving support from abroad ..."

That does sound familiar. It's the same thing that the Ukrainian government says about the separatists in eastern Ukraine.

He also touched on violence in the Chechen capital of Grozny on Thursday morning, where gunmen and police officers have clashed, leaving at least 16 dead. Putin described the attackers as rebels, suggesting they were receiving support from abroad, and said he was confident that authorities would bring the situation under control.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/04/vladimir-putin-west-contain-russia-state-nation-speech-president?