Second Chechen War

The Second Chechen War was a war between the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria and Russia from 1999 to 2009.

Second Chechen War
Part of the Chechen-Russian conflict and the post-Soviet conflicts
Top left: BTR-80 armored personnel carrier disabled by militants during the 2000 Zhani-Vedeno ambush
Top right: Russian troops en route to Grozny on 18 November 1999
Bottom left: Russian troops firing their artillery from Achkhoy-Martan on 2 December 1999
Bottom right: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev meets FSB director Alexander Bortnikov in March 2009 to discuss the end of counter terrorism operations inside Chechnya
DateOctober 1999 - 16 April 2009
Location
North Caucasus
Result Russian victory
Belligerents
Russia
Chechen Republic
Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
Units involved
Russian Armed Forces Armed Forces of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
Chechen Mujahideen
Casualties and losses
6,000-14,000 3,000-6,000

Prelude to War[change | change source]

Dagestan[change | change source]

On August 7 1999, mujahideen forces, mostly made up of Chechens, invaded the Republic of Dagestan.

Russian Apartment Bombings[change | change source]

In September 1999, a series of bombings occurred in multiple apartment blocks in Russia killing more than 300 people, and injuring more than 1000.[1] The bombings were used in order to justify the leading invasion of Chechnya by Russian forces.

Invasion[change | change source]

Initial Offensive[change | change source]

Russian troops entered Chechnya in October 1999. Heavy fighting would last until April 2000, with Grozny being captured by Russia on February 2000.

Insurgency[change | change source]

Guerilla War[change | change source]

Chechen rebels fled deeper into the country side, resorting to using guerilla tactics in order to fight against Russia. This guerilla stage would last until 2009[2] when counter-terrorism operations in Chechnya finally ended.

Terrorism[change | change source]

Continued Terrorism[change | change source]

Even with most resistance ceasing activity, terrorism still plagues Chechnya to the modern day. Many jihadist groups arose during the Second Chechen War committing multiple acts of terrorism such as the Moscow theater hostage crisis, the Beslan school siege, and more recently, the Crocus City Hall attack.

References[change | change source]

  1. Nazaryan, Alexander (2022-3-6). "'Capable of anything': How the '99 apartment bombings explain Putin's rise and regime". Yahoo!. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. Schwirtz, Micheal (2009-4-16). "Russia Ends Operations in Chechnya". The New York Times. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)