Reports of ground forces moving in toward the border between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia could not be confirmed by the Pentagon at 5 a.m., although Defense Department officials denied Iraqi claims that 14 U.S. fighter jets had been shot down.

One Pentagon official said the Iraqi boasts were “ridiculous,” adding the United States had scored some “impressive successes” and that there would be a further briefing at 8 or 9 a.m. today.

Before that, a meeting between U.S. Defense Secretary Dick Cheney, National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft, Secretary of State James Baker and President George Bush will take place at 7:30 a.m.

“The operation appears to have gone well,” Cheney said. According to reports, very few Iraqi planes were able to get off the ground and many others were destroyed by U.S. bombing.

Although the Iraqis claim to have shot down at least three of the U.S. planes that were attacking the Presidential Palace, U.S. officials deny that any shooting was aimed at the residence.

Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein hasn’t been seen other than an Iraqi television address made after the initial strike. According to CNN translation, Hussein said “Bush the satan has committed this crime.”

Hussein also promised retribution against what he called “criminal Tel Aviv” and called Prince Fahd of Saudi Arabia a “traitor.”

Jim Keesee with the 82nd Airborne Division said the Wednesday night attack was “relief to some of the personnel” after the anxiety of the past two weeks.

U.S. officials also claimed at about 4:15 a.m. today that U.S. pilots had destroyed Iraq’s nuclear and chemical weapon facilities in addition to going after other military targets and air-defense sites.

While earlier reports said the pilots met with little Iraqi resistance, the pilots later told CNN they flew through considerable “Triple A”—anti-aircraft artillery.

One unnamed pilot told CNN that the city of Baghdad “was lit up like a Christmas tree,” adding the bombing “was one of the most spectacular fireworks display I’ve ever seen.”

However, doubt loomed in the nation’s capitol early this morning. One unnamed Pentagon insider told CNN that reports of little or no American casualties were “overly optimistic.”

Sen. Alan Dixon, D-Illinois, said he is skeptical. “Put me down as skeptical,” he said. “Don’t let this optimism get carried away.”

In eastern Saudi Arabia, CNN correspondents said there was some minor ground fighting near the Kuwaiti border, mainly the result of an Iraqi attack on an oil refinery, although by press, these reports could not be confirmed.

CNN reported that about 40 rounds of artillery were fired but only one made contact, setting a half-filled gas tank on fire.

Also unconfirmed were reports that several Iraqi troops—including an unconfirmed 50 tanks worth—were deserting their country. According to CNN reports, some allegedly were removing their uniforms in favor of civilian clothing.