Briefs

– Policemen Wounded in Grozny Attack

Six policemen from the Republic of Karelia were injured in an attack in Grozny on the evening of April 18, Interfax reported on April 19. “Unknown persons opened fire at a police checkpoint late yesterday night near the former radio factory located in Grozny’s Zavodsky district,” a Chechen Interior Ministry source told the news agency. “Six members of the combined police detachment of the Republic of Karelia MVD received gunshot wounds.” RIA Novosti reported that the policemen received leg wounds that were not life threatening.

– Medvedev Visits Grozny

Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev toured Chechnya on April 16 to hail “progress in reconstruction,” Reuters reported. According to the news agency, Medvedev, one of the favorites to succeed President Vladimir Putin and the highest-level visitor to the republic in 16 months, looked around a new medical clinic and university in Grozny with Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov at his side and accompanied by “soldiers carrying Kalashnikov rifles.” “The situation in Chechnya has changed for the better,” Medvedev told reporters after meeting students. “Of course, much remains to be done, but if we do nothing then nothing will move forward.” Medvedev is in charge of national projects aimed at improving conditions in such areas as housing and health care. Kadyrov, for his part, said: “Although we have started rebuilding we still have many shortages. And we need help from the federal side to improve the social sphere.” Reuters reported that Medvedev “flew in and out of Grozny’s newly rebuilt airport on the same day.”