Alik, a Russian soldier, poses for a photo in the Chechen capital. Grozny has been virtually destroyed by bombs and rockets as Russian troops fought Islamic rebels for control of their symbolic stronghold. Hardly any building has remained undamaged and authorities say it is unlikely the city will ever be rebuilt.
Lisa, a retired schoolteacher-turned refugee, stands in front of her house. Tens of thousands of civilians have lost their homes in the battle for Grozny. Incidentally, this was the last time Lisa saw her house: it was pulled down half an hour after the picture was taken because it had too many mines inside, planted by retreating rebels.
