Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Saturday
Russian Forces Rescue Hostages Held by Chechen Rebels
Aired October 26, 2002 - 13:09 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Now to this morning's dramatic rescue of hundreds of people held captive by Chechen gunmen in a Moscow theater. Russian President Vladimir Putin has just finished addressing the nation in the aftermath of the rescue, saying the action was necessary to save lives. Russian officials say more than 750 people, including two Americans, were freed, but it came at a deadly cost. More than 90 of the hostages lay dead.
CNN's Ryan Chilcote has the story, with this warning: You may find some of the graphic images disturbing.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): After three nights and two days, the Russian government decided it was time to move. Antiterrorist special forces stormed the theater shortly before dawn after a series of gunshots were heard, and some of the hostages attempted to escape.
When it was all over, the theater was littered with bodies. Some of the more than 30 dead hostage takers looked as if they had been caught off guard. Russian officials confirmed the use of a sleep- inducing gas during the raid. Russian officials said that if they hadn't acted, everyone might have died.
VLADIMIR VASILYEV, RUSSIAN DEP. INTERIOR MINISTER (through translator): We have managed to avert the plan of the terrorists and prevent mass killings of people and the destruction of the building, which they threatened that they would do. Most of the hostages have been saved, including children.
CHILCOTE: Hundreds of former hostages walked out of the theater. Hundreds more were carried out in ambulances. All were carefully interviewed to prevent hostage takers from escaping. Still some of the gunmen vanished in the chaos.
The self-described kamikazes had won only part of what they wanted. The Russian government refused the demand to withdraw troops from Chechnya, but the attack in the heart of Moscow did bring attention to the far away war in that republic.
(on camera): Even with the casualties, this was an unprecedented victory for President Putin and the Russian military in their ongoing struggle against Chechen rebels. Nearly everyone here thought the outcome would be much worse. (voice-over): Now, instead of forcing the Russians to pull their troops out of Chechnya, many here believe the hostage takers have accomplished the exact opposite, turning Russians who might have supported an end to the war against them.
Ryan Chilcote, CNN, Moscow.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired October 26, 2002 - 13:09 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Now to this morning's dramatic rescue of hundreds of people held captive by Chechen gunmen in a Moscow theater. Russian President Vladimir Putin has just finished addressing the nation in the aftermath of the rescue, saying the action was necessary to save lives. Russian officials say more than 750 people, including two Americans, were freed, but it came at a deadly cost. More than 90 of the hostages lay dead.
CNN's Ryan Chilcote has the story, with this warning: You may find some of the graphic images disturbing.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): After three nights and two days, the Russian government decided it was time to move. Antiterrorist special forces stormed the theater shortly before dawn after a series of gunshots were heard, and some of the hostages attempted to escape.
When it was all over, the theater was littered with bodies. Some of the more than 30 dead hostage takers looked as if they had been caught off guard. Russian officials confirmed the use of a sleep- inducing gas during the raid. Russian officials said that if they hadn't acted, everyone might have died.
VLADIMIR VASILYEV, RUSSIAN DEP. INTERIOR MINISTER (through translator): We have managed to avert the plan of the terrorists and prevent mass killings of people and the destruction of the building, which they threatened that they would do. Most of the hostages have been saved, including children.
CHILCOTE: Hundreds of former hostages walked out of the theater. Hundreds more were carried out in ambulances. All were carefully interviewed to prevent hostage takers from escaping. Still some of the gunmen vanished in the chaos.
The self-described kamikazes had won only part of what they wanted. The Russian government refused the demand to withdraw troops from Chechnya, but the attack in the heart of Moscow did bring attention to the far away war in that republic.
(on camera): Even with the casualties, this was an unprecedented victory for President Putin and the Russian military in their ongoing struggle against Chechen rebels. Nearly everyone here thought the outcome would be much worse. (voice-over): Now, instead of forcing the Russians to pull their troops out of Chechnya, many here believe the hostage takers have accomplished the exact opposite, turning Russians who might have supported an end to the war against them.
Ryan Chilcote, CNN, Moscow.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
