Little Stalingrad - Komosomolskoye, March 5th-17th, 2000

At the end of the Custer-like Ulus-Kert destruction of the Russian 6th Paratroop company on Hill 776, another major battle in Chechnya was developing. In early March, the Russian 200 man security force seized the town of Komsomolskoye (5000 people) located near the foothills of the Black Mountains. The Chechen forces had already been hiding in the foothills and in desperation attacked the town with 500 men quickly forcing the Russians to retreat. By the 6th, the Russians had fallen back to the perimeter of the town and laid siege with numerous artillery and MRLS rocket launchers. The Russians attempted several times to enter the town and retake portions but each time were repulsed. The siege and intense air and artillery bombardment had little effect on the Chechens whom hid in the numerous pillbox-like basements of the stone buildings. The Russians created more and more rubble. By the 12th, much of the town was in ruin and the Russians had only penetrated into the fringe. In order to trap the Chechens, a paratroop battalion was deployed behind the town and a minefield inserted. By this time, some 1500 Chechens were defending the town. The Chechens had turned the town into a fortresslike Stalingrad. The Russians continued to lay siege and attempted to enter. More and more the town came under their control as the Chechens had nothing to lose but life. Russian troops and SWAT teams had to clear out the Chechen infestation at a very high cost due to the urban environment. To help matters, a T-72 company (10 tanks) daringly entered the town and fired at buildings at point blank range. A new multi-barrel flame-throwing tank also was used to clear out the pillboxes and basements. These tanks were called, “Buratino”, and several of them were used with great effect. By the 17th, most of the town was finally under Russian control once again. Pockets remained and when the Chechen’s called for a truce it proved to be a ruse. Many of the Chechens surrendered with hidden grenades and when the Russian troops moved to within range, they were exploded. By the 20th, it was over. Dead bodies covered the ground amongst the rubble. The town was destroyed. Over 300 dead horses added to the stench of the 2500 dead Russians and 800 dead Chechens. The remaining surrendered, only a few escaped. A small scale modern-day Stalingrad.