A simple rule that I learned during the cold war: You should not trust the Russian government. It is still valid.
http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20050308-095627-7856r.htm
Rebel Mashkadov says Putin 'misinformed'
Grozny, Russia, Mar. 8 (UPI) -- Separatist Chechen rebel leader Aslan Mashkadov claims Russian President Vladimir Putin is "profoundly misinformed" about the situation in Chechnya.
In an interview with Radio Free Europe published Tuesday, Mashkadov alleged Putin was operating on flawed information given him by top Russian generals, his aides and what Maskhadov refers to as the "puppet" pro-Moscow regime installed in Grozny.
Maskhadov said a half-hour, face-to-face dialogue with Putin would be sufficient to explain to the Russian president what the Chechens want and thus end the war. However, Putin has repeatedly stated he would never negotiate with terrorists.
Maskhadov spoke of his insurgence as "saving our people from arbitrary Russian reprisals and barbarity," and added "we shall consider we have achieved that goal when we deprive Russia of the right to continue killing Chechens with impunity."
"The war will continue," he said. "Chechen mujahadeen will resist to the end in this struggle, and the flame of this conflagration will spread to the entire North Caucasus."