ZALINA Dzandarova cradles her son Alan as he sleeps with his small face buried against her stomach - and thinks of her daughter, Alana, who she chose to leave behind.

Commandos stormed the Russian siege school today as near-naked children fled the building amid explosions and gunfire.

Heavy gunfire could still be heard from around the school in Russia where children and adults were being held hostage since Wednesday, although the ITAR-Tass news agency reported that troops were in full control of the building.