Second Chechen War

The Second Chechen War was a long and difficult conflict that happened in Chechnya and nearby areas of the North Caucasus from August 1999 to April 2009. It was fought between the Russian Federation and the breakaway Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.

The war began when Islamists from Chechnya infiltrated Dagestan in Russia. Soon after, apartment bombings in Russian cities caused many deaths. Russian forces, together with Chechen allies, fought hard to take control of the Chechen capital, Grozny, after a long and tough siege.

Over the years, fighting continued in the region, with both sides sometimes attacking people who were not involved in the war. By 2009, the big battles had stopped, and the city of Grozny was being rebuilt. Even though the major fighting ended, some small attacks still happened from time to time.

Names

The Second Chechen War is also called the Second Chechen Campaign in Russian or the Second Russian Invasion of Chechnya from the Chechen fighters' view.

Historical basis of the conflict

Main articles: Chechen–Russian conflict and History of Chechnya

Russian Empire

Main article: Caucasian War

Chechnya is a place in the Northern Caucasus that has often resisted being ruled by others. In the 1500s, the Russian Terek Cossack Host was set up in Chechnya by people called Cossacks. In 1783, Russia and Georgia made a treaty, and Russia began to spread its influence into the Caucasus. Russian soldiers first entered Chechnya in 1830, and fighting there lasted until 1859.

Soviet Union

After the Russian Revolution in 1917, Chechens tried to form their own government, but were mostly defeated by Soviet troops by 1922. In 1944, during World War II, the Chechen people were forced to leave their homes and move far away. Many suffered and died during this time.

First Chechen War

Main article: First Chechen War

When the Soviet Union broke apart in 1991, Chechnya tried to become independent. In 1994, Russian forces entered Chechnya, leading to a long and difficult war. In 1996, a ceasefire was signed, and Russian troops left Chechnya.

Prelude to the Second Chechen War

Instability in Chechnya

The government in Grozny faced opposition from extremist leaders. In 1998, a state of emergency was declared following violent confrontations. Some scholars suggested connections between Chechen resistance and global movements, though many Western observers were skeptical of these claims before 2001.

Russian–Chechen relations (1996–1999)

Tensions grew due to conflicts and criminal activities. Several bombings in Russian cities occurred between 1996 and 1999, with some people blaming Chechen separatists. In 1997, a Chechen leader became president but faced several assassination attempts. In March 1999, a Russian general was kidnapped in Grozny.

Dagestan

On 7 August 1999, Chechen and other militant groups entered the neighboring Republic of Dagestan. By mid-September, they were pushed back into Chechnya.

Russian apartment bombings

Main article: 1999 Russian apartment bombings

Before the situation in Dagestan settled, several bombings happened in Russian cities. These attacks killed many people. The Russian government blamed militant groups from Chechnya, but evidence was not found to support this. Later, questions were raised about whether the bombings might have been orchestrated to gain support for military action in Chechnya. Investigations continue to this day.

1999–2000 Russian offensive

Air war

Main article: 1999 Russian bombing of Chechnya

See also: List of Russian aircraft losses in the Second Chechen War

In late August and early September 1999, Russia started big air attacks over Chechnya. The goal was to stop fighters who had entered a nearby area called Dagestan. Russia said they bombed Chechnya on August 26, 1999. These air attacks caused many Chechen people to leave their homes. A nearby area, Ingushetia, asked for help from the United Nations because many people were arriving there every day.

Land war

In October 1999, Russia said it would send soldiers to Chechnya. At first, they planned to only go as far as the Terek River. But later, Russian soldiers moved further and started fighting on the ground. They used tanks, airplanes, and big guns to try to push back Chechen fighters. Many people had to leave their homes because of the fighting.

Siege of Grozny

Main article: Battle of Grozny (1999–2000)

In December 1999, Russian soldiers began attacking the main city, Grozny. The fight for the city lasted until February 2000. Many soldiers and fighters were hurt or lost during this time. The city was badly damaged from all the fighting.

Battle for the mountains

Heavy fighting continued through the winter of 2000 in the southern, mountainous parts of Chechnya. Russian soldiers faced strong resistance from Chechen fighters in areas like Argun, Vedeno, and Shatoy.

Restoration of federal government

Main article: Federal government in Chechnya

In May 2000, Russia put a new leader in charge of Chechnya who supported Moscow. In 2003, Chechnya got a new set of rules that let it have some independence but still required it to follow Russia's leadership. This new leader was later replaced by his son in 2007.

Insurgency

Guerrilla war in Chechnya

Main article: Guerrilla phase of the Second Chechen War

Guerrilla phase by year: (/wiki/Guerrilla_phase_of_the_Second_Chechen_War(2000)), (/wiki/Guerrilla_phase_of_the_Second_Chechen_War_(2001)), (/wiki/Guerrilla_phase_of_the_Second_Chechen_War_(2002)), (/wiki/Guerrilla_phase_of_the_Second_Chechen_War_(2003)), (/wiki/Guerrilla_phase_of_the_Second_Chechen_War_(2004)), (/wiki/Guerrilla_phase_of_the_Second_Chechen_War_(2005)), (/wiki/Guerrilla_phase_of_the_Second_Chechen_War_(2006)), (/wiki/Guerrilla_phase_of_the_Second_Chechen_War_(2007)), (/wiki/Guerrilla_phase_of_the_Second_Chechen_War_(2008)), (/wiki/Guerrilla_phase_of_the_Second_Chechen_War_(2009))_

Fighting in Chechnya continued with smaller attacks, especially in the southern areas and nearby parts of the Caucasus. Small groups targeted Russian and pro-Russian leaders, soldiers, and police. They used hidden bombs and sometimes joined together for bigger attacks. Russian forces responded with airstrikes and special operations. Many soldiers in Chechnya were professional soldiers, not new recruits. While Russia kept troops in Chechnya, local Chechen forces led by Kadyrov took charge of most security work. These forces included some former fighters who switched sides after 1999. In April 2009, Russian officials said they had ended their anti-terrorism operations in Chechnya, claiming peace had returned. However, fighting still happened in nearby areas like Dagestan and Ingushetia.

Caucasus Front

Main article: Caucasian Front (militant group)

In May 2005, Chechen fighters announced the formation of the Caucasus Front, bringing together fighters from many regions in southern Russia. This included groups from Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia, Stavropol, Kabardin-Balkar, Krasnodar, Karachai-Circassian, Ossetian, and Adyghe areas. This meant almost all of southern Russia was affected by the conflict. Chechen fighters became a central point for planning and support for the insurgency across the North Caucasus. Fighting became more common in Dagestan and sometimes broke out in other regions, such as Ingushetia and Nalchik.

Human rights and terrorism

Human rights and war crimes

The Second Chechen War saw many serious violations of international laws meant to protect people during war. Both sides faced criticism, but reports show that most of the suffering of ordinary people came from actions by Russian forces. Chechen civilians were often targeted, and many were hurt or killed. The conflict was very hard on people, with many losing their homes and communities.

Between 2002 and 2004, Chechen fighters and their allies carried out several attacks on civilian targets in Russia. These included bombings and kidnappings that caused many deaths among ordinary people. These actions added to the tragedy of the war and caused deep sorrow across the region.

Other issues

Kodori crisis and Pankisi Gorge crisis

Main articles: 2001 Kodori crisis and Pankisi Gorge crisis

In October 2001, a United Nations helicopter was shot down in Georgia near a valley called Kodori. This happened during fighting between different groups. Georgia said they did not have soldiers there.

Russian leaders blamed Georgia for letting some Chechen fighters move through their country. In 2002, the United States helped Georgia work against unsafe groups in an area called Pankisi Gorge.

Unilateral ceasefire of 2005

In February 2005, a leader of the Chechen separatists asked for a short pause in fighting as a sign of goodwill. However, this leader was later killed by Russian forces. After his death, another leader took over. This new leader made changes in his group and was also killed a short time later.

Amnesties

Since the start of the conflict, there were several times when Russia offered to forgive some fighters. However, many of these people faced danger or were treated badly after they accepted the offer.

Government censorship of the media coverage

Main article: Russian government censorship of Chechnya coverage

During the conflict, the Russian government worked hard to control what people saw and heard about the war on television and other media. They limited what journalists could report and put pressure on them to avoid certain stories. This control meant that many people in Russia did not get a full picture of what was happening.

Effects

Civilian losses

Main article: Casualties of the Second Chechen War

During the Second Chechen War, many people were killed, both fighters and ordinary citizens. Numbers vary widely, with estimates ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of deaths. Reports from different groups give different totals, and exact figures are hard to confirm.

Material and environmental damage

The war caused serious damage to Chechnya. Bombings and fighting destroyed homes and polluted the land and water. Oil spills and damage to sewers made water unsafe. Wildlife suffered, and large areas were declared environmental disaster zones. Many buildings were destroyed, and farmland was contaminated.

Land mines

Main article: Land mines in Chechnya

Chechnya became one of the most dangerous places for land mines. Both sides in the conflict used mines, especially in southern areas. Clearing these mines took many years, and they caused injuries and deaths for years after the fighting stopped.

Military losses

Main article: Casualties of the Second Chechen War

The number of soldiers killed in the war is hard to know for sure. Reports from Russia say over a thousand of their soldiers died. Other estimates suggest the numbers were higher. Independent groups believe many more soldiers were lost on both sides.

Political radicalization of the separatist movement

Over time, the leaders of the Chechen resistance became more extreme. Earlier leaders focused on Chechnya’s independence, but later ones wanted to push Russia out of the entire North Caucasus region. They began talking about fighting everywhere in Russia, not just in Chechnya. This shift led to declarations of larger goals, including forming a new Islamic state in the Caucasus.

Impact on the Chechen population

Life remained very hard for many Chechen people after the war. Many suffered from fear, poverty, and health problems. Children faced health issues and lost parents. Many families were poor, and some children had to leave home because there was not enough support. Thousands of people were forced to leave their homes during the conflict.

Impact on the Russian population

The war affected many in Russia. It increased support for the government leader at the time. Soldiers returning from the war often faced problems such as mental health issues, unemployment, and difficulties adjusting to life back home. The conflict also contributed to rising tensions and unfair treatment toward people from the Caucasus region in Russia. Some people in Russia became more suspicious of and hostile toward these groups.

Status

In 2005, there were around 60,000 Russian soldiers in Chechnya, but this number got smaller over time. By 2007, there were about 8,000 local security workers. Some experts think there were only a few hundred fighters left, but others thought there were more.

Fighting mostly stopped, but small groups still caused trouble. Many leaders of the group wanting Chechnya to be independent had died. The situation changed after big events in 2001, making people in Chechnya more tired of fighting.

Some Russian leaders said the war ended in 2002, but others thought it continued in smaller ways. Reports from human rights groups said that even though big battles stopped, problems and small fights kept happening.

In 2009, Russia officially said they were no longer in a big fight in Chechnya, but they kept watching to make sure things stayed calm.