Russian soldiers are moving steadily through the city of Grozny despite meeting fierce resistance from the remaining Chechen rebels. Thousands of civilians remain trapped as the city comes under its fiercest bombardment yet.

Russian troops heading for Grozny are certain to face fierce fighting in the battle for the Chechen capital.

Chechen rebels know the layout of the city however and have disrupted the advance by laying mines and booby traps.

Russian troops not trained in urban warfare are at a disadvantage.

About 250,000 people have fled the fighting over the past three months but up to 40,000 remain trapped in the city.

The Saayev family, refugees from the captured town of Urus-Martan, 20km (12 miles) southwest of Grozny, sit in a truck in a refugee camp waiting to return home.

Grozny is too dangerous to return to however - hundreds of civilians have been wounded in the fighting.

A Chechen rebel guards an unidentified Russian POW in Grozny. Russia is trying to keep its losses to a minimum