The failure of Russia’s plan to protect itself against charges of war crimes in their proposed bombing of Grozny could be seen in the so-called safety corridor its leaders established for civilian flight. As of Thursday, the corridor reportedly remained unused, a sign that civilians either do not know about it, cannot reach it or simply do not trust the military to provide the safety it promises.

Whether the civilians are fearful of coming out their cellars or other hiding places or are being held by the Chechen rebels as shields, the result is the same. The empty corridor means that Russia must not continue with its schedule to destroy Grozny tomorrow, as it had announced through leaflets dropped earlier this week. The Clinton administration has condemned the planned massacre with its usual lukewarm language; now is the time to turn up the heat.

This is not a question of whether Russia has a right to defend territory or fight against terrorism. It is a question of whether the world will stand by while the Russian military knowingly kills sick, aged, uninformed or trapped civilians in its pursuit of Chechen rebels and in its attempt to avoid extending its humiliating experience in the province. A demand to call off the destruction of Grozny is a demand for Russia to observe the most minimal of human rights.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin already is beginning to mince words on what the Saturday deadline for civilians actually meant, saying the West had overreacted, but has as yet made no announcement that the bombing would be called off. Mr. Putin’s reaction may have been caused by events such as the International Monetary Fund’s managing director, Michel Camdessus, demanding that the $640 million pledged for Russia be held up. But if Russia wants to blame the West for misunderstanding the meaning of Russia’s warning to Chechnya, there is nothing wrong with leaders here and in Europe graciously accepting this explanation, as long as the bombs don’t fall.

It wouldn’t hurt for President Clinton to join in the overreaction.