17:30, 15 December 2003

Russian troops reportedly wiped out village of Dzumsoy

Alarming news has been received from the Itum-Kali district of Chechnya. Locals report that the village of Dzumsoy, which numbered 40 houses, was razed to the ground by Russian soldiers several days ago. As it became known, in the afternoon of December 7 unknown people attacked a column of the Russian military between the villages of Dzumsoy and Bugaroy. 27 soldiers were killed and 16 more were injured in the combat, according to some information.

Residents of the Itum-Kali district witness that in the evening of that very day the village of Dzumsoy was blocked by Russian military units stationed in the district. Nearly all locals left the village. According to assertions by residents of nearby villagers, the Russian military who burst into Dzumsoy burnt down all houses and slaughter the cattle. They killed 3 locals who had not left their houses. The village of Dzumsoy no longer exists. Residents of the village who survived have temporarily stayed at their relatives and friends.

Source: The Chechen Times Website