Blood and Carnage

Soon after the Custer-like destruction of the Russian 6th Paratroop company on Hill 776 at Ulus Kert, another major battle in Chechnya was developing. In early March a Russian 200 man security force seized the town of Komsomolskoye (5000 people). Located near the foothills of the Black Mountains. The Chechen forces were already hiding in the foothills and, in desperation, attacked the town with 500 men. This attack quickly forced the Russian security force to retreat.By the 6th, the Russians laid siege with numerous artillery and MRLS rocket launchers. By the 12th, much of the town was in ruins and the Russians had only penetrated into the fringes. The Chechens turned the town into a fortress-like strongpoint and were determined to make a stand. A new multi--barrel flame-throwing tank also was also used to clear out the pillboxes and basements. These tanks, called “Buratino”, were used with great effect. By the 17th, most of the town was finally under Russian control once again. By the 20th, it was over. Dead bodies covered the ground amongst the rubble. The town was destroyed.“We will beat the Chechens to a pulp, so that the present generation will be too terrified to fight Russia again. Let Western observers come to Grozny and see what we have done to our own city, so that they shall know what may happen to their towns if they get rough with Russia.” –General Kvashin, commander of Russian forces at Grozny and Komsomolskoye.