Major Events of Chechen Conflict
1992
One year after the collapse
of the Soviet Union Chechnya
declares independence.
of the Soviet Union Chechnya
declares independence.
1994
Russian troops invade
Chechnya to stop the
independence movement.
War begins and lasts for 20 months.
Chechnya to stop the
independence movement.
War begins and lasts for 20 months.
1995
Chechen rebels hold hostages
at a hospital in Budennovsk a town
in southern Russia. Russian
commando operation kills over 100 people.
at a hospital in Budennovsk a town
in southern Russia. Russian
commando operation kills over 100 people.
1996
Dzhokhar Dudayev, president of Chechnya
was killed in a Russian missile attack.
Zemlikhan Yandarbiyev takes his place.
Rebels launch an attack on Grozny.
Aslan Maskhadov, the leader of the rebels,
signs a ceasefire with Moscow and Russian
troops begin to withdraw.
was killed in a Russian missile attack.
Zemlikhan Yandarbiyev takes his place.
Rebels launch an attack on Grozny.
Aslan Maskhadov, the leader of the rebels,
signs a ceasefire with Moscow and Russian
troops begin to withdraw.
1999
Maskhadov says that sharia law is going to be phased in over
the course of three years. Possible Chechen separatists
continue terror attacks on Russia, killing more than 300 people.
Vladimir Putin, sends Russian troops back into Chechnya.
Fighting on the Chechnya-Dagestan border and Chechen rebels
invade Dagestan with hopes of creating an Islamic state.
the course of three years. Possible Chechen separatists
continue terror attacks on Russia, killing more than 300 people.
Vladimir Putin, sends Russian troops back into Chechnya.
Fighting on the Chechnya-Dagestan border and Chechen rebels
invade Dagestan with hopes of creating an Islamic state.
2000
Russian troops capture the capital,
Grozny, and Putin declares direct rule
from Moscow. Akhmad Kadyrov is appointed
head of administration in Chechnya.
Grozny, and Putin declares direct rule
from Moscow. Akhmad Kadyrov is appointed
head of administration in Chechnya.
2001
Many reports of widespread human
rights violations in Chechnya by Russian
troops come in, fueled by the discovery
of a mass grave filled with mutilated bodies.
rights violations in Chechnya by Russian
troops come in, fueled by the discovery
of a mass grave filled with mutilated bodies.
2002
Chechen rebels hold 700 people hostage for three
days in Russian theatre. All 50 rebels and 120 hostages
are killed when Russian forces gas the building.
In December a suicide bomb attack destroys the
Grozny headquarters of Chechnya's Moscow-backed government.
days in Russian theatre. All 50 rebels and 120 hostages
are killed when Russian forces gas the building.
In December a suicide bomb attack destroys the
Grozny headquarters of Chechnya's Moscow-backed government.
2004
Kadyrov is killed in a bombing. In September nearly
400 people (many of whom are children) are killed
at a school in Beslan, North Ossetia. Putin blames
international terrorists with links to Chechen separatist fighters.
400 people (many of whom are children) are killed
at a school in Beslan, North Ossetia. Putin blames
international terrorists with links to Chechen separatist fighters.