Russia's government troops Tuesday reached the center of Grozny, capital of the breakaway republic of Chechnya, ITAR-TASS news agency reported.

Two combat contingents reached the city center at 9:30 a.m. (0630 GMT) and another two were following up, the Russian news agency said.

It quoted a soldier as saying that the government troops had gained a foothold and were "gradually expanding their zone of control" in the city.