The Chechen War

By
Ana Paula Prado
Andrea Freer
Sara Tretti

St. Mary High School

August 8, 2014
Mrs. Bonzer Language Arts 9

Have you ever wondered What the Chechen War was and how it was influenced as a
mayor battle in the Russians history? It wasnt a well-know or famous war in the social
media or in the news, so most people dont really know about it. But this doesnt mean that
it is not worth knowing about it. Chechnya, a rebel country, had to fight for its autonomy
from Russia in a violent and long-lasting war. Throughout this essay the reader will
discover the causes as well as effects that the war caused in this region of the world
(Chechnya and Russia). During the first 20th and 21st centuries, wars have been common in
most parts of the eastern world. During the 1990s a war started to bring devastation to the
country of Chechnya; this war is known as the Chechen war.
When and where did this happen? There has always been a long-lasting conflict
between Russia and Chechnya; this has included many battles. Russia and Chechnya have
been in disagreement since 1994, causing the first phase or first war to begin.
During this first phase, Russias goal was to gain control over the mountains of
Chechnya, but it was harder than they expected. Chechnyas soldiers did not permit this to
happen. Two years after several confrontations, in 1996, both of the countries signed the
The Khasav-Yurt Accord, a peace agreement that tried to get rid of "any basis to create
ill-feelings between Moscow and Grozny (Maskhadov).
The Khasav-Yurt Accord lasted about 2 years, and in 1999 the second phase started.
Apparently Russia was incapable of respecting the agreement, and once again invaded
Chechnya. Now Chechnya was convinced that they would never be able to reach an
agreement, and Russia felt the same. Chechnya was fighting for independence, and Russia
was fighting for Chechnya to stay as part of Russia.
Both of these wars that happened were in both Russia and Chechnyas territory.
Two of the most affected cities were Grozny and Shatoy Dagestan (important cities for both
countries). The second phase of this war is still happening, almost 15 years later and they
havent been able to decide what to do.
After analyzing when and where the Chechen war is occurring, it is fair to say that
the two most involved countries are Russia and Chechnya. But, who is the most impacted
from this conflict? Well, both countries have been impacted in different ways. Considering

that Russia invaded Chechnya (victim), the most affected cities have been in Chechnya,
seriously affecting their citizens. During these past years Chechnyas citizens have lived in
a complete and violent chaos, caused by Russians soldiers. On the other hand, Russia has
also suffered some consequences.
If Chechnya gains independence, then other countries will also be encouraged to try
for their own. This would bring serious problems to Russias power; losing territory for
them is not an idea that they like. As you already know, this has been a very long war. Both
countries have suffered losses of soldiers. Over the many years the amount of soldiers lost
during this conflict has been 150,000 and 160,000 people, this is the total death toll of the
two wars in Chechnya (Djabrailov). Another way in which both countries are being
impacted, are the resources (guns, oil, tanks...). The amount of resources used for this war
are as extreme as are the lives lost. So basically, both counties have been negatively
affected the same amount in different ways causing no benefit to either one.
The Chechen War's main cause is that Chechnya wants its independence
from Russia, but Russia doesn't want to give it up. However, there are other contributing
reasons to this conflict. It all started because there were protestations in Chechnya to gain
its independence. Russia does not want to lose Chechnya, so after the protestations, Russia
intervened militarily.
It is very important for Russia to win the war or it will bring them terrible
consequences. First of all, Chechnya has a very important supply of oil which brings Russia
great economic benefits. If Russia loses the war, the Soviet Union and all Russia's power
may fall apart. If Chechnya wins the war, it will gain its independence and this will inspire
other Russian's territories to reveal too. Also, Russia could lose very important territories
and its resources. According to Nicolla Melloni The Chechen War resulted from the
combination of five major factors: the political instability in Russia; Russias desire to
maintain its territorial integrity; mismanagement by both Russian and Chechen elites; and

the lack of a proper institutional and legal framework. (Melloni). These factors contributed
for the war to start and they also keep the war going on.
Since 1994, war has been fought. There have been constant invasions into
Chechnya, as well as many battles. Some battles that occurred during the war are: The
Battles of Grozny, Battle of Dolinskoye, Battle of Khankala, and some others. In 1996, the
First Chechen War ended, but the peace did not lasted so long because a few years after, the
Second War started.
According to Fixit895The First Russian-Chechen ended in 1996 when Chechen rebels
captured Grozny, the capital of Chechen republic. Chechens won the first war.Fixit895
(WikiAnswers). The Chechens won the first war and signed a peace agreement with
Russia, but they still had many problems. They were an independent country but were not
recognized as one by the UN and other important organizations. This and other problems in
Chechnya affected the stability as a country and caused the Second Chechen War to start in
1999, which is still going on.
Chechnya is looking for alternatives to end the war, but Russia will not give them
independence easily. Other Russia's territories are also having problems and battles with
Russia, for example Dagestan.
What has this whole war, along with the battles that have happened through it
caused? Or more importantly, why has it become a known war? As a member of the Soviet
Union, Chechnya has been causing concerns. Chechnya's territory has become a land full of
kidnappings, rapes, murders...These are some of the consequences and impacts that the war

has brought to this land. But even though Chechnya has faced much loss of military
soldiers and other people, it has retained its territory, not falling into other countries hands.
Because of the war, many Chechens have moved from Russia and become
homeless. According to an article posted by Oliver Bullough, "there are less Chechen
citizens, than soldiers in the Russian army." (Bullough) We can easily deduce that the war
has been one major reason why this has happened; no one would like to live in such an
insecure land. This loss of citizens has brought an economic challenge, because people
bring wealth to the country. They buy goods that will provide money to the government
through taxes.
Even though Chechnya has been consider end independent more than once, Russia
is not willing to recognize it as an independent republic. Russia is causing more and more
problems to Chechnya. Even though Prime Minister Putin is trying to stop terrorism attacks
towards Chechnya, it is still difficult. "Yes, life in Chechnya looks more like a life after a
natural disaster." (Putin)
What will happen if Russia recognizes the Republic of Chechnya as an independent
land? First of all, Russia will have a loss because Chechnya is a constituent republic of
Russia. Russia isn't going to accept this easily. Besides, the Soviet Union would be
weakened from losing territory previously under control.
A very important reason why Russia doesn't want to give Chechnya is because of
the rich resources that Chechnya. But even though Chechnya is very in oil, the wars have
been causing economic problems.

Finally, Chechnyas independence could cause other republics reasons to fight for
their independence. There could be hope for them to enjoy independence and that is what
Russia and the Soviet Union are trying to avoid. The Soviet Union has many territories
under their control and the more they lose the less authority they will have.
Chechnya has been continually involved in war. The last one has lasted 15 years.
This has been happening because of Russians control over Chechnya and the Russians not
wanting Chechnya to be independent. It has brought problems as well as personal losses to
many citizens .Even though Chechnya has been under this violent, long-lasting war, it is
important for the country not to give up. They need to show others how important it is to
fight for what they believe is important. When will Russia and Chechnya be able to find
peace with each other? How much longer can Chechnya resist?

Works Cited
Akande, Zainab. Russia-Chechnya Conflict: A quick guide. News.MiC. web. 14 June,
2014.

Anonymous. Chechnya and Russia: timeline. 16 April ,2009. Web. 22 June, 2014.

Anonymous. Foreign Affairs. Foreign Affairs. 2000. Web. 22 June, 2014.

Djabrailov, Taus. Russia: Chechen official put war death toll at 160,00. Radio liberty.
2014. Web. 6 June,2014.

Fixit895. Who won the Chechen war? WikiAnswers. Web. 29 July, 2014.

Gonzalez, Walter. La Guerra en Chechenia sus antecedentes y sus repercusiones en la

poltica intenacional. El centro de tesis. 2004. Monografias. Com. Web. 13 June,
2014.

Zakman, Amy. Ph. D. Russia, Chechnya and Terrorism A timeline of Russian-Chechen

conflict.Global Terrorism.2014. about.com.web. 21 June, 2014.

Melloni, Nicola. The Russians Chechen War. Irenees. November 2007. Web. 21 June,
2014.

Menon, Rajan. Russias Ruinous Chechen War. Foreign Affairs.2000.web. 16 June,

2014.

Maskadov.The Origind Behind the first Chechen War. UKessays.2014. web. 6 June,2014.

Ranker.com. list of the First Chechen War Battles. Web. 22 June, 2014.