RUSSIA: DAGESTAN: HOSTAGE CRISIS: 41 HOSTAGES RELEASED

Russian/Nat Russia's state-run news agency says troops have released 41 hostages being held by Chechen rebels in Dagestan. Itar-Tass reported government troops freed the hostages following a massive air and artillery assault. The fate of the remainder of the 100 or so civilians being held by the Chechen separatists was not clear. Reports that 41 hostages have been freed came at the end of a day in which the Russian military had seemingly abandoned hope that there were any hostages still alive. Powerful Grad multiple rocket launchers have been launching salvo after salvo against into the city. Helicopters have continued their onslaught from the air. The renewed barrage began after Russian Interior troops were pulled back to make way for special, highly trained fighters - the Alpha force. Between 150 and 250 Chechen separatists are holding around 100 civilian hostages in the ruins of the village. Villagers have been watching impotently as the Russian military have turned Pervomayskaya into a tomb. SOUNDBITE: No one can be left alive out there. How can we not cry? SUPER CAPTION: Dagestani woman In a field hospital just behind the Russian lines, 43-year-old Abdurazak Mamedov is being treated for gunshot wounds in his legs. Mamedov was taken hostage in Kizlyar last week. He was forced to drive the bus in which the hostages arrived in Pervomayskaya. But Mamedov managed to escape during the confusion when the Russian troops attacked the Chechen rebels two days ago. Mamedov spoke about the other civilians who were brought to the hospital. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) "There were four of us here, two have died, and the third has a serious stomach wound. I don't know if he will survive". SUPERCAPTION: Abdurazak Mamedov, injured civilian The hospital's emergency surgeon thinks there will be more like Mamedov to follow. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) "I think there will be a huge stream of wounded coming here. They have nowhere else to go. It is impossible for us to go any further we have already tried but were turned back" SUPERCAPTION: Vladimir Kamedin, Emergency Surgeon One of the injured was taken home by his relatives, but is believed to be too ill to survive. A sad reminder of the innocent people entangled in this crisis. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/f6e497d9a644e49f84f08bb475b0f584 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork