A spiritual leader performs the 'Zikra' religious dance. One of more than 30 Muslim minorities, the Chechens have their own rituals. Yeltsin's attempts to subdue the rebel republic of Chechnya started with a show of strength followed by an ultimatum in December. When that didn't work, the Russian army bombed the capital of Grozny and surrounded it with tanks. The Russian invasion of Grozny was repeatedly rebuffed by the separatists, who were greatly outnumbered and had to buy their own inferior weapons. The largest Russian military operation since the Afghan war claimed many casualties among soldiers, rebels and civilians.

Yeltsin's attempts to subdue the rebel republic of Chechnya started with a show of strength followed by an ultimatum in December. When that didn't work, the Russian army bombed the capital of Grozny and surrounded it with tanks. The Russian invasion of Grozny was repeatedly rebuffed by the separatists, who were greatly outnumbered and had to buy their own inferior weapons. The largest Russian military operation since the Afghan war claimed many casualties among soldiers, rebels and civilians.

A vigil of Chechen women against the tanks initially paid off -- the commander backed down. Yeltsin's attempts to subdue the rebel republic of Chechnya started with a show of strength followed by an ultimatum in December. When that didn't work, the Russian army bombed the capital of Grozny and surrounded it with tanks. The Russian invasion of Grozny was repeatedly rebuffed by the separatists, who were greatly outnumbered and had to buy their own inferior weapons. The largest Russian military operation since the Afghan war claimed many casualties among soldiers, rebels and civilians.

Armed with homemade petrol bombs, young rebels await the tanks. Yeltsin's attempts to subdue the rebel republic of Chechnya started with a show of strength followed by an ultimatum in December. When that didn't work, the Russian army bombed the capital of Grozny and surrounded it with tanks. The Russian invasion of Grozny was repeatedly rebuffed by the separatists, who were greatly outnumbered and had to buy their own inferior weapons. The largest Russian military operation since the Afghan war claimed many casualties among soldiers, rebels and civilians.

A victim of an air raid on the outskirts of Grozny is helped to safety. Yeltsin's attempts to subdue the rebel republic of Chechnya started with a show of strength followed by an ultimatum in December. When that didn't work, the Russian army bombed the capital of Grozny and surrounded it with tanks. The Russian invasion of Grozny was repeatedly rebuffed by the separatists, who were greatly outnumbered and had to buy their own inferior weapons. The largest Russian military operation since the Afghan war claimed many casualties among soldiers, rebels and civilians.

Street in Grozny shortly after a bomb attack. Yeltsin's attempts to subdue the rebel republic of Chechnya started with a show of strength followed by an ultimatum in December. When that didn't work, the Russian army bombed the capital of Grozny and surrounded it with tanks. The Russian invasion of Grozny was repeatedly rebuffed by the separatists, who were greatly outnumbered and had to buy their own inferior weapons. The largest Russian military operation since the Afghan war claimed many casualties among soldiers, rebels and civilians.

One of the many women mourning the loss of a son. Yeltsin's attempts to subdue the rebel republic of Chechnya started with a show of strength followed by an ultimatum in December. When that didn't work, the Russian army bombed the capital of Grozny and surrounded it with tanks. The Russian invasion of Grozny was repeatedly rebuffed by the separatists, who were greatly outnumbered and had to buy their own inferior weapons. The largest Russian military operation since the Afghan war claimed many casualties among soldiers, rebels and civilians.

Yeltsin's attempts to subdue the rebel republic of Chechnya started with a show of strength followed by an ultimatum in December. When that didn't work, the Russian army bombed the capital of Grozny and surrounded it with tanks. The Russian invasion of Grozny was repeatedly rebuffed by the separatists, who were greatly outnumbered and had to buy their own inferior weapons. The largest Russian military operation since the Afghan war claimed many casualties among soldiers, rebels and civilians.

Yeltsin's attempts to subdue the rebel republic of Chechnya started with a show of strength followed by an ultimatum in December. When that didn't work, the Russian army bombed the capital of Grozny and surrounded it with tanks. The Russian invasion of Grozny was repeatedly rebuffed by the separatists, who were greatly outnumbered and had to buy their own inferior weapons. The largest Russian military operation since the Afghan war claimed many casualties among soldiers, rebels and civilians.

People wait in line at a food distribution point. Yeltsin's attempts to subdue the rebel republic of Chechnya started with a show of strength followed by an ultimatum in December. When that didn't work, the Russian army bombed the capital of Grozny and surrounded it with tanks. The Russian invasion of Grozny was repeatedly rebuffed by the separatists, who were greatly outnumbered and had to buy their own inferior weapons. The largest Russian military operation since the Afghan war claimed many casualties among soldiers, rebels and civilians.

One of the many women mourning the loss of a son. Yeltsin's attempts to subdue the rebel republic of Chechnya started with a show of strength followed by an ultimatum in December. When that didn't work, the Russian army bombed the capital of Grozny and surrounded it with tanks. The Russian invasion of Grozny was repeatedly rebuffed by the separatists, who were greatly outnumbered and had to buy their own inferior weapons. The largest Russian military operation since the Afghan war claimed many casualties among soldiers, rebels and civilians.

A Chechen fighter at an artillery point on Karpinski Hill, southwest of the capital. Old bedsheets serve as camouflage in the wintry landscape. Yeltsin's attempts to subdue the rebel republic of Chechnya started with a show of strength followed by an ultimatum in December. When that didn't work, the Russian army bombed the capital of Grozny and surrounded it with tanks. The Russian invasion of Grozny was repeatedly rebuffed by the separatists, who were greatly outnumbered and had to buy their own inferior weapons. The largest Russian military operation since the Afghan war claimed many casualties among soldiers, rebels and civilians.

Science & Technology - 3rd prize