Events on February 6 in history

Second Chechen War: Russia captures Grozny, Chechnya, forcing the separatist Chechen Republic of Ichkeria government into exile.

The Second Chechen War: A Decade of Conflict in the North Caucasus

The Second Chechen War (Russian: Втора́я чече́нская война́; Chechen: ШолгIа оьрсийн-нохчийн тIом, literally 'Second Russian-Chechen War') was a protracted armed conflict that unfolded across Chechnya and the wider border regions of the North Caucasus. It pitted the Russian Federation against the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, a de facto independent but unrecognized state, spanning from August 1999 until April 2009. This conflict followed the First Chechen War (1994–1996), which concluded with the Khasavyurt Accord, granting Chechnya de facto independence and leaving behind a region plagued by instability, lawlessness, and the rise of radical Islamist factions.

Inception of the Conflict: The Dagestan Incursion

The immediate catalyst for the full-scale Russian intervention in 1999 was a series of incursions into the neighboring Russian republic of Dagestan. In August 1999, Islamist fighters, predominantly from Chechnya and led by figures such as Shamil Basayev and Ibn al-Khattab, infiltrated Dagestan. These militants declared the establishment of an independent Islamic state in the region and called for a holy war. This aggressive move, coupled with a series of apartment bombings in Russian cities attributed by Moscow to Chechen separatists (though the perpetrators remain a subject of debate), provided the Russian government with a strong casus belli to launch a comprehensive military campaign to restore control over Chechnya.

Initial Campaign and the Battle for Grozny

During the initial phase of the conflict, from late 1999 into early 2000, Russian military forces, supported by newly formed pro-Russian Chechen paramilitary units, engaged Chechen separatist forces in direct, conventional combat. A primary objective was the recapture of Grozny, the Chechen capital. The 1999–2000 Battle of Grozny was a brutal siege and assault that lasted from December 1999 until February 2000. This intense urban warfare left Grozny in ruins; by 2003, the United Nations described it as the most destroyed city on Earth. Estimates indicate that between 5,000 and 8,000 civilians were killed during the siege, making it unequivocally the bloodiest single episode of the entire Second Chechen War. Following the capture of Grozny, Russia established direct rule over Chechnya in May 2000, appointing a pro-Russian administration, initially led by Akhmad Kadyrov.

Shifting Tactics: Counter-Insurgency and "Chechenization"

Despite the establishment of direct rule, Chechen militant resistance continued for several years, primarily through a resilient guerrilla insurgency throughout Chechnya and the broader North Caucasus region. These asymmetrical tactics inflicted significant casualties on Russian forces and consistently challenged Russia’s political and military control. Both sides were implicated in severe human rights abuses, including torture, kidnappings, and attacks against civilians, which drew widespread international condemnation from human rights organizations and governments.

By mid-2000, the Russian government began to implement a policy known as "Chechenization." This involved progressively transferring military responsibilities and security operations to pro-Russian Chechen forces, aiming to shift the burden of maintaining stability to local authorities and foster a loyal Chechen leadership. The conventional "military phase" of operations was officially terminated in April 2002. Subsequently, the coordination of field operations transitioned from the Ministry of Defence, first to the Federal Security Service (FSB) in 2002, and then to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) in the summer of 2003. This strategic shift underscored a move from large-scale military engagements to more targeted counter-terrorism and policing operations.

The Official End and Lasting Impact

By 2009, Russia had significantly debilitated the organized Chechen separatist movement, severely limiting its capacity for large-scale operations. This was achieved through persistent military pressure, targeted assassinations of key leaders, and declining public support for the insurgency within Chechnya. As a result, major combat operations largely ceased. On April 16, 2009, the government operation in Chechnya was officially declared over, concluding the long-running "counter-terrorist operation" regime. The bulk of the Russian army was subsequently withdrawn, and the primary responsibility for dealing with the remaining low-level insurgency and maintaining order was fully shouldered by the local Chechen police forces and security apparatus, largely loyal to the Moscow-backed leadership.

Remarkable reconstruction efforts, financed heavily by the Russian federal budget, rapidly transformed Grozny and many surrounding areas, which had been devastated by the conflict. While large-scale fighting had ended, sporadic violence, including occasional bombings, ambushes targeting federal troops, and special operations against remnants of extremist groups, continued to occur across the wider North Caucasus region, notably in Dagestan and Ingushetia, for several years thereafter.

A significant symbolic moment occurred three months after the official end of operations, when Akhmed Zakayev, the exiled leader of the Chechen separatist government-in-exile, called for a complete halt to armed resistance against the Chechen police force starting in August 2009. He expressed hope that "starting with this day Chechens will never shoot at each other." This statement was widely regarded as marking the definitive end of the active phase of the Chechen conflict, even as underlying tensions persisted.

Human Cost and Casualties

The precise death toll of the Second Chechen War remains a subject of considerable debate and uncertainty due to the nature of the conflict and challenges in data collection. Official Russian casualty figures indicate approximately 7,500 Russian military and Interior Ministry personnel were killed. However, independent organizations, such as the Committee of Soldiers' Mothers, which advocates for soldiers' rights, estimate Russian casualties to be higher, around 14,000 fatalities. Unofficial sources, including human rights groups, provide significantly higher estimates for the overall death toll, ranging from 25,000 to 50,000 dead or missing. The vast majority of these casualties are believed to be Chechen civilians, underscoring the severe humanitarian impact of the conflict on the local population.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Second Chechen War

What was the primary cause or immediate trigger for the Second Chechen War?

The immediate trigger for the Second Chechen War was the August 1999 incursion by Chechen-based Islamist fighters into Russia's Dagestan region, who declared an independent Islamic state and called for jihad. This, combined with apartment bombings in Russian cities, provided Russia with the justification to launch a full-scale military intervention.

When did the major combat operations of the Second Chechen War officially end?

The main military phase of operations was officially declared over in April 2002. The broader "counter-terrorist operation" regime, which encompassed sporadic fighting and policing actions, officially concluded on April 16, 2009, when Russia withdrew the bulk of its army and transferred security responsibilities to local Chechen forces.

What was the "Chechenization" policy?

Chechenization was a Russian policy implemented from mid-2000, aimed at progressively transferring military and security responsibilities to pro-Russian Chechen forces and administrations. The goal was to empower a loyal local leadership and reduce the direct military burden on the Russian federal forces.

What was the human cost of the Second Chechen War?

The exact human cost is disputed, but estimates vary widely. Official Russian figures for military casualties are around 7,500, while independent sources suggest closer to 14,000. Unofficial estimates for the total number of dead or missing, primarily Chechen civilians, range from 25,000 to 50,000, highlighting a significant civilian toll.

Why was Grozny described as "the most destroyed city on Earth"?

Grozny, the Chechen capital, endured a devastating siege and assault by Russian forces from late 1999 to early 2000. The intense urban combat and widespread bombardment reduced much of the city to rubble, leading the United Nations to make that grim assessment in 2003, reflecting the immense destruction and human suffering it experienced.