Above: Map showing the location of Chechnya

The Chechen war has been fought for a long time. It started even before the Russian Union broke in December 1991; this led to division of the union into many smaller countries. The Chechen Republic was at war ever since September 1991 in order to gain status as an independent state.

Chechnya was finally recognized as an independent state in the year 1995. There were two wars the first one from 1991 to 1993, the second war for independence, thought majority of states had recognized Chechnya as an independent state, started in 1994 to 1995.

Above: Soldier passing through rebels dead bodies

There was am attempt to crush this fight for a free state by Russia. In December 1991, The then President Yelstin ordered a dispatch of military to the Chechen province, but the Chechen rebels did not let their aircraft to be airborne. However, Moscow was called in by help by the Opposition; Russia then provided the opposition with required finance as well as with the troops.

Above: War scene during the battle in Chechnya

Russia played on the mindsets of people, since Chechnya was known as a crime centre in the country, other countrymen were led to believing that attacking Chechnya was to reduce crime in the country.

Above: Rebel troop playing with his son’s balloon

Finally, after issuing of several warnings to the Chechen rebels, Russia invaded Chechnya on December 11 1994, it carried out heavy aerial bombardment of the area. Later, however there were protests about these attack from the side of the Russians, where Major General of the Russian Army as well as Colonel Generals resigned, the reason was that they were opposed to attacking fellow Russians in a war like fashion.

Above: Few victims of Russian’s Aerial Bombardment operation in Chechnya

There was a lot of loss of life due to the aerial bombardment. Even the loss of life of soldiers was no less, it is estimated that 1000-2000 soldiers died from the first attack alone. This further boosted low morale among the fighting troops.

Above: Russian army attacking Chechnya using multiple rocket launcher

Russian troops attacked the ethnic town in Chechnya, and there were several casualties. They bombarded towns with surface-to-surface missiles and with aerial attacks. The troops also prevented escape of harmless civilians from the danger area. The troops went on a looting spree, often indulging in acts of systematic tortures.

In order to gain recognition for their cause, Chechen separatists went on a hostage taking spree, where they took international ships, airliners, hospitals as hostages so that Russian public and the Government would know of their cause.

Above: Dead bodies, victims of tortures and violence happening in Chechnya

Tortures and violence carried out by Russian troops on Chechen rebels were not appreciated and were looked upon by contempt by the other ethnic groups of Russia. This led to a heavy downfall to Boris Yeltsin’s fame in the country. As time passed by and violence persisted, any hopes of ceasefire diminished. This also led to prediction that several volunteers would join the Chechen movement as Jihad. This also led to fear about escalation in violence and it spreading to more regions than ever before. The Chechen war was brutal and civilians suffered the most in this war. The was however, resulted in creation of Chechnya as an independent state.

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