Chechen Wars: A History from Beginning to End

Chechnya’s modern history is marked by its fluctuating ties with the Russian Empire and, later, the Soviet Union. A notable dark chapter was in 1944 when Joseph Stalin ordered the mass deportation of Chechnya’s entire population. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, tensions between ethnic Russians and Chechens escalated into two full-blown wars. The first, in 1994, saw Russian forces invade Chechnya. Though they met their immediate military objectives, the conflict tarnished both Russia’s and Boris Yeltsin’s image on the world stage, and by 1996, Russian troops had fully retreated from Chechen soil.

In the summer of 1999, mounting unrest and the emergence of Muslim warlords in Chechnya stirred conflict with Russia once more. Amid this backdrop, Boris Yeltsin’s health was deteriorating, and an aspiring politician, Vladimir Putin, was on the rise. As Putin eyed the Russian presidency, he recognized the need to demonstrate effective leadership. This aspiration culminated in a brutal war and the subsequent establishment of a Chechen regime aligned with Putin’s interests.

Understanding the Chechen Wars is vital to any understanding of how Russia developed after the collapse of the Soviet Union and how that federation became dominated by one man: Vladimir Putin. This book delves into the origins, progression, and aftermath of the Chechen Wars.