On December 11, 1994, the First Chechen War began. The conflict lasted 20-months and proved to be bloody for all sides – the Russian forces, Chechen separatists, and civilians, many of whom were forced to leave their homes, as the war broke out.
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© Fotobank.ru/Getty Images / Malcolm Linton
In the fall of 1991, former Soviet General and pro-independence Chechen leader Dzhokhar Dudayev unilaterally declared that the Republic of Chechnya would no longer be part of the Russian Federation. Over the next three years, Dudayev dissolved laws, regulatory bodies and government agencies left from the Soviet period.
Government troops that were stationed in Chechnya had been moved out of the republic; however, large amounts of military weapons, equipment and ammunition were left behind. That enabled Dudayev to form numerous well-armed illegal bands that later fought against the Russian government troops.
A Grozny resident near the ruins of her house.
A Grozny resident near the ruins of her house.
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© AP Photo / Robert King
On December 9, 1994 then President of Russia, Boris Yeltsin signed a decree that abolished activity of the illegal band formations within the territory of the Chechen Republic, effectively starting the war. Two days later, Russian federal forces, comprised of more than 16,000 military personnel, entered Chechnya.
Above: The Chechen fighters managed to stop the Russian column of armored vehicles, using hand-held anti-tank weapons from ambushes.
Above: The Chechen fighters managed to stop the Russian column of armored vehicles, using hand-held anti-tank weapons from ambushes.
On the New Year’s Eve, then Russia’s Defense Minister Pavel Grachev ordered to storm Grozny, the Chechen capital. The Russian forces had more than 250 armored vehicles, but they quickly realized the ineffectiveness of tanks in urban warfare.
Above: Troops of the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Russian Federation evacuating civilians from the combat zone on 10-13 January, 1995.
Above: Troops of the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Russian Federation evacuating civilians from the combat zone on 10-13 January, 1995.
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© AP Photo / Peter Dejong
Following the capture of Grozny, the Russian army started to take hold of other cities and areas in Chechnya. Between March 12 and 23, the Russian forces fought in and around the city of Argun, eventually capturing the city. On the very last day of March of 1995, the city of Shali was taken under control following heavy fighting.
By the mid-July of 1995, the Russian federal forces controlled 85 percent of the Chechen Republic. The rebels were forced to retreat into mountains and other remote areas.
Above: Russian federal troops during a military operation in the village of Stary Achkhoi.
Above: Russian federal troops during a military operation in the village of Stary Achkhoi.
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© AP Photo / Efrem Lukatsky
As the rebels felt they were losing positions, they decided to change tactics by dividing into small, mobile groups aimed at carrying out subversive attacks and ambushes.
Above: Chechen children playing with toy guns in outskirts of Grozny.
Above: Chechen children playing with toy guns in outskirts of Grozny.
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© AP Photo / Shakh Aivazov
The rebels started to relocate their troops around the country, oftentimes hiding among civilians. They managed to recruit more fighters and formed new groups.
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© AP Photo / Mindaugas Kulbis
Russian soldiers guarding checkpoints and administrative buildings were targeted by the Chechen rebels, who seemed to appear out of nowhere, carry out deadly attacks and quickly disappear.
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© AP Photo / Mindaugas Kulbis
Above: Chechen women mourn their killed husbands and relatives.
On April 21, 1996 Russian Special Forces killed the Chechen rebel leader Dzhokhar Dudayev. Despite Dudayev’s death, the rebels kept fighting and by the end of the summer of 1996, after a series of heavy fighting, pushed the Russian troops out of Grozny.
After eight long hours of talks, Generals Alexander Lebed of Russia and Aslan Maskhadov, the commander of the Chechen rebels, signed the Khasavyurt Accord on August 31, 1996, ending the war.
Above: A soldier stands near the destroyed presidential palace.
Above: A soldier stands near the destroyed presidential palace.
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© AP Photo / Oleg Nikishin
After the Khasavyurt Accord was signed, Russia removed its troops out of the Chechen Republic in three months.
It was estimated that Russia had 4,103 soldiers killed, 1,231 missing in action and 19,794 wounded.
Above: The Russian Federal Troops at the Khankala military base.
Above: The Russian Federal Troops at the Khankala military base.
Above: Chechen militants and soldiers of the Russian Army stand near graves of their fallen comrades after the commencement of the ceasefire agreement.
It was estimated that Russia had 4,103 soldiers killed, 1,231 missing in action and 19,794 wounded.
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© AP Photo / Robert King
According to human rights organizations and military experts, between 30,000 and 35,000 civilians were killed during the First Chechen War.
