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Russian soldiers push down a cannon, acting as a counterpoise so their comrades can shift the artillery installation, at a position near Achkhoy Martan, 25 km,15 miles, southwest of Grozny, Thursday, December 2, 1999. Russian military officials, who have consistently dismissed Islamic militants as an ineffective force, acknowledged that the Chechens have set up strong defencive positions in Grozny and nearby cities. (KEYSTONE/AP Photo/STR)