General information
Part of Conflict: Russia (Soviet Union): Chechnya
Date of first stated goals of incompatibility: 1991-09-30
Comment on date of first stated goal of incompatibility: In early September, Dzochar Dudayev announced his intention to declare independence for Chechnya. The declaration of independence was stated in November, shortly after Dudayev was elected President of Chechnya. Russian President Boris Yeltsin denied the legitimacy of Chechnyas declaration of independence.
Date of first use of armed force: 1991-09-01
Comment on date of first use of armed force: In early September 1991, armed Chechens led by Dudayev seized key buildings in Grozny. This outbreak of armed force came in connection with Dudayev announcing his intention to declare Chechnya independent.
Even though Russian President Yeltsin denounced Chechnyas declaration of independence, he did little to interfere with it. Troops were sent into Chechnya in 1992, but most of them were withdrawn the same November.
In June 1994, the Russian government orchestrated the creation of a Chechen Interim Council. Russian arms were provided to this group, which entered into warfare with Dudayev. However, the Russian proxy strategy was not successful; instead Russia sent in their own troops. By the end of November 1994, the Russian air bombed the Chechen capital Grozny. On 11 December 1994, Russia undertook a full-scale military intervention and entered Chechnya with ground troops.
First Battle Related Death: 1994-05-27
Comment on First Battle Related Death: In a joint operation between a Chechen opposition force, the so-called Provisional Council, and regular Russian troops, a helicopter attack was launched on Groznys airport, killing at least three people.
Date when dyad reached 25 battle releated deaths: 1994-11-26
Comment on date when dyad reached 25 battle related deaths: On 25/26 November 1994, Chechen opposition forces supported by Russian military personnel launched an attack on the Chechen capital Grozny. The attack was repelled by Chechen forces loyal to the Chechen President Dudayev and resulted in scores killed. Over 20 of the 78 Russian contract workers that had been secretly recruited for this “black” operation by the Russian FSK were captured by Dudayev’s forces.
Conflict issues
Conflict Goal Issues: The Chechen Republic of Ichkeria was a secessionist political movement, coded as a rebel group due to its conflict with the Russian Federation, that was established following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The group aimed to establish an independent republic for the Chechen people, who had been incorporated into the Russian Federation in 1991. Whilst parts of the movement was characterized by Islamism and others were Western-oriented, all shared the common goal of Chechen independence. During 1991, the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria stated two conflict goal issues, calling for the recognition of Chechnya as an independent republic and calling for the ousting of the head of the local Russian-appointed parliament in Chechnya.
In 1992, representatives of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria released its constitution, in which several conflict goal issues were stated. Whilst many were stated, only those continuously brought up for the continued duration of conflict will be mentioned here. In its constitution, the Chechen Republic stated that “Russian criminal law was no longer valid on its territory”, which indicates intentions for judicial reform. This issue was frequently brought up again throughout the conflict, although continued calls for changing the judicial system were generally from parts of the organization calling for the establishment of Sharia law. The group also called for foreign policy reform, in 1992 to promote British relations but for the remainder of the conflict mostly to become less dependent on Russia. Economic reform was also a raised issue in both the constitution and in following years, initially pertaining to increased rights for people to own capital and other more capitalist ideals, but later becoming more focused on immediate resolution of Chechnya’s economic issues. In 1992, the group called for security to be established through judicial and policiary reform, although continued mentions of law and order were more focused on the dire state for civilians resulting from the conflicts. Issues of independence, ousting of local governments, and accusations of local and national Russian corruption were not explicitly mentioned in 1992, although they were continuously raised throughout the conflict, especially independence. Elements of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria also called for the establishment of an Islamic state in Chechnya, whereas other elements of the group stated the intentions of establishing Chechnya within a confederation in Russia.
The main conflict goal issue of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria was undoubtedly the issue of Chechen independence. Whilst not mentioned in its constitution, the issue was raised in almost all coded years of conflict and was continuously stated with heavy emphasis. The issue was also a foundational question for the group, further indicating its centrality.
Conflict Dynamics Issues: The only interpreted conflict dynamics issue stated by the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria in 1991 came from allegations that members of the Soviet Union “was preparing an especially refined genocide for the Chechen people.”, prior to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and “that ‘a continuation of the genocide against the Chechen people’ was once again a distinct possibility”’ under the Russian Federation, indicating fear of collective targeting on an ethnic basis.
As the conflict progressed, the issue of ethnically motivated collective targeting was continuously raised, particularly during the years of the First and Second Chechen Wars. The Chechen Republic also began accusing Russian armed forces of committing atrocities against the Chechen people, both through indiscriminate bombing of villages but also through systematic campaigns of looting, murdering, massacring, and raping. The Chechen Republic continuously released statements toward the international community throughout the conflict, initially calling for the withdrawal of foreign political and financial support from the Russian Federation, but later also calling for assistance from the international community through financial-, political-, and military support, international monitoring missions, humanitarian aid, military interventions, foreign influence, and international court investigations. The issues of international monitoring to oversee the conflict and human rights abuses and foreign influence to pressure the Russian government to cease hostilities against the Chechen Republic were especially emphasized and frequently stated. Toward the latter stages of conflict, the group released sparse statements pertaining to the release of prisoners of war and political prisoners as well as for displaced Chechen people to be allowed to return home. Finally, the most frequently stated conflict dynamics issue throughout the conflict was, naturally, the withdrawal of foreign forces, as calls for the Russian Federation to remove its troops were continuously made throughout the entire conflict.
The main conflict dynamics issues of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria throughout the conflict were the accusations of ethnically motivated atrocities and abuses perpetrated against the Chechen population and the calls for withdrawal of Russian forces. These were the most frequently stated issues but also the most heavily emphasized, as they motivated many of the other issues of the group.
Conflict Resolution Issues: During 1991, the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria stated one conflict resolution issue, stating that it would not engage in negotiations with the Russian government until Chechnya was recognized as independent.
As the conflict progressed, opposition to negotiations was frequently coded for many of its years. However, calls for negotiations were also frequently coded. These continuous contradictions on the topic of negotiations could possibly be attributed to both the Chechen Republic being divided into several different elements but could also be the result of the changing nature of the Chechen conflict and the political situation around it. Calls for ceasefires, accountability for perpetrators of war crimes, compensation for civilians, and implementations of ceasefires and peace agreements were occasionally stated from the Chechen Republic.
The main conflict resolution issue of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria was the issue of negotiations. This issue was continuously raised and emphasized throughout the conflict, although the Republic’s position to negotiations frequently changed.
Type of conflict issues: The coded conflict issues for this group are: Conflict Goal Issues: Basic needs, Blasphemy, Bureaucratic setup, Change economic system, Change judicial system, Childrens rights, Citizenship reforms, Civil rights, Confederation/union, Constitutional issues, Corruption, CPS: Democracy, CPS: Islamic state, Cultural rights, Decentralization, Destruction of cultural heritage, Economic reforms, Electoral reform, Foreign policy reform, Freedom of association, Freedom of expression, Freedom of movement, Gender rights, Human rights, Independence, Labor rights, Land reforms, Language rights, Law and order, Opposition to elections, Oust head of the executive, Oust local executive, Protection of cultural heritage, Protection of natural resources/the environment, Public services, Referendum, Reform executive structure, Reform judicial system, Reform parliament, Religious rights, Restriction of gender rights, Restructure military forces, Restructure police forces, Revenues from natural resources, Rule of law, Unification of states, Water resources
Conflict Dynamics Issues: Atrocities and abuses, Call for collective targeting: religious, Collective targeting: ethnic, DFI: Withdrawal of financial support, DFI: Withdrawal of military intervention/foreign forces, DFI: Withdrawal of political support, IFI: Financial support, IFI: Foreign mediator, IFI: Humanitarian aid, IFI: International court/tribunal/investigation, IFI: International monitoring, IFI: Military intervention/foreign forces, IFI: Military support, IFI: Political support, IFI: Use of foreign influence, Release of prisoners, Return of refugees/IDPs, Revenge/vengeance
Conflict Resolution Issues: Accountability/prosecution/investigation, Call for ceasefire, Call for implementation/abiding to ceasefire, Call for negotiations, Call for truth and reconciliation processes, Compensation/restoration, Opposition to amnesties, Opposition to negotiations, Opposition to peace agreement, Peace agreement implementation, Structure of negotiations
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
1991
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Russia (Soviet Union)): n/a
Side B (Chechen Republic of Ichkeria): n/a
1994
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 338 |
| Best | 229 |
| Low | 229 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Russia (Soviet Union)): n/a
Side B (Chechen Republic of Ichkeria): n/a
1995
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 3896 |
| Best | 1754 |
| Low | 1754 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Russia (Soviet Union)): n/a
Side B (Chechen Republic of Ichkeria): n/a
1996
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 4027 |
| Best | 2721 |
| Low | 2704 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Russia (Soviet Union)): n/a
Side B (Chechen Republic of Ichkeria): n/a
1997
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 13 |
| Best | 11 |
| Low | 11 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Russia (Soviet Union)): n/a
Side B (Chechen Republic of Ichkeria): n/a
1998
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 7 |
| Best | 7 |
| Low | 7 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Russia (Soviet Union)): n/a
Side B (Chechen Republic of Ichkeria): n/a
1999
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 12083 |
| Best | 5769 |
| Low | 5734 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Russia (Soviet Union)): n/a
Side B (Chechen Republic of Ichkeria): n/a
2000
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 5329 |
| Best | 2907 |
| Low | 2907 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Russia (Soviet Union)): n/a
Side B (Chechen Republic of Ichkeria): n/a
2001
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1032 |
| Best | 791 |
| Low | 790 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Russia (Soviet Union)): n/a
Side B (Chechen Republic of Ichkeria): n/a
2002
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 3196 |
| Best | 1289 |
| Low | 1131 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Russia (Soviet Union)): n/a
Side B (Chechen Republic of Ichkeria): n/a
2003
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 626 |
| Best | 480 |
| Low | 476 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Russia (Soviet Union)): n/a
Side B (Chechen Republic of Ichkeria): n/a
2004
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1307 |
| Best | 1151 |
| Low | 1134 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Russia (Soviet Union)): n/a
Side B (Chechen Republic of Ichkeria): n/a
2005
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 735 |
| Best | 682 |
| Low | 650 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Russia (Soviet Union)): n/a
Side B (Chechen Republic of Ichkeria): n/a
2006
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 357 |
| Best | 259 |
| Low | 259 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Russia (Soviet Union)): n/a
Side B (Chechen Republic of Ichkeria): n/a
2007
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 217 |
| Best | 146 |
| Low | 146 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Russia (Soviet Union)): n/a
Side B (Chechen Republic of Ichkeria): n/a
2017
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Russia (Soviet Union)): n/a
Side B (Chechen Republic of Ichkeria): n/a
2023
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 2 |
| Best | 2 |
| Low | 2 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Russia (Soviet Union)): n/a
Side B (Chechen Republic of Ichkeria): n/a
2024
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Russia (Soviet Union)): n/a
Side B (Chechen Republic of Ichkeria): n/a
Dyad Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
1991 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
1994 Dyad Archive
Comment on Active: Russian troops air bombed Chechnya in late November. On 11 December, the Russian army intervened on full-scale. By the end of the month, they were able to assault Grozny. The Chechen soldiers fought with high moral, whereas many Russians deserted during the battles. However, the Russian army were in the position to carry out helicopter and missile attacks.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: The Russian Justice Minister Kalmykov met Chechen leader Dudayev for secret, unofficial talks on 3 December. These talks were followed by an official meeting on 12 December between a delegation of Dudayevs supporters, a Russian delegation and Dudayevs Chechen opponents. The Chechen officials urged Russia to lift the economic blockade on Chechnya while Russia wanted Dudayev to drop his bid for independence and disarm his forces. The negotiations ended in failure on 14 December. Dudayev declared on television that his people would have to fight to the death.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1995 Dyad Archive
Comment on Active: In February 1995, the Russian army had taken control over Grozny and it appeared as if they had won the war. However, the Chechen rebels changed their tactics and commenced guerrilla warfare. This caused severe Russian losses and the war continued. The Chechens used hit-and-run attacks also outside of Chechnya itself.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: On 25 May, peace talks between Russian and Chechen officials were held in Grozny under the auspices of the OSCE. No information could be found on to what extent the talks concerned conflict related issues. The talks broke up without progress. On 18 June, in connection to a hostage drama; the Russian Prime Minister Chernomyrdin agreed to resume peace talks with the Chechen rebels. Negotiations were subsequently held on a halt of all hostilities, exchange of prisoners, the gradual disarmament of the Chechen rebels and the partial withdrawal of the Russian troops from Chechnya. The issue of Chechnyas independence was not addressed. In the end of July, a ceasefire accord was signed. It remained in effect until October.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1996 Dyad Archive
Comment on Active: The Chechen strategy of taking hostages was responded to by Russian air bombings. The Chechen leader Dudayev was killed in April. In late May, a ceasefire was signed between the warring parties. By July, the Russian government declared that Chechnya had been conquered. However, this turned out not to be the case as, on 6 August, the Chechen rebels carried out a successful assault on Grozny. This Chechen attack prompted negotiations, which led to the signing of a new and more comprehensive ceasefire agreement (the Khasavyurt Accords).
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: In May, after Dudayevs deaths, the warring parties resumed talks, which resulted in a (temporary) ceasefire. In August, after a successful Chechen counterattack, more thorough negotiations were held between Russian General Aleksandr Lebed and Chechen leader Khalid Aslan Maskhadov. These led to the Khasavyurt Accords (SEE CONFLICT TERMINATION).
Victory: NO
Terminated: YES
Type of termination: Ceasefire
Date of termination: 1996-08-31
Comment on Termination: In August, Yeltsin's representative General Alexander Lebed negotiated a comprehensive ceasefire agreement with the Chechen commander Aslan Maschadov. The agreement was specified by further accords in September and November. Under the agreements, Russian troops were to withdraw from Chechnya by January 1997. Furthermore, it was decided that there was to be a moratorium on the core issue - the future status of Chechnya - until 31 December 2001.The ceasefire agreement was complemented by an accord signed on 12 May 1997. In this 'Treaty of Peace and Principles of Relations between the Russian Federation and the Chechen Republic of Ichkeriya', it was stated that neither side would ever shoot at the other. Yet, Chechnya\'s future status was left vague. Both parties still insisted on their original positions.
Comment on Termination Date: On 31 August, the main ceasefire agreement, the Khasavyurt Accords, was signed. In September and November 1996, as well as on 12 May 1997, the basic agreement was complemented by more specific accords.
1997 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1998 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1999 Dyad Archive
Comment on Active: Vladimir Putin became increasingly influential in the Russian government, at the same time as Chechen rebels launched a series of attacks on the Russian province Dagestan in August. This combination prompted the armed conflict to escalate between the warring parties. A Russian offensive was launched on 23 September, with the official purpose to drive the Chechen rebels out of Dagestan and to end the climate of insecurity in the province. However, the offensive continued also in Chechnya and war broke out afresh between the parties. Russia launched a full-scale invasion in November. The Russian troops concentrated on air strikes and artillery attacks, while the Chechen rebels carried out a number of bombings in Russian cities.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiations: In late 1999, the Russian government declined requests from the Chechen leader Maskhadov to negotiate a settlement of the conflict. The Russian government stated that it did not recognise Mashkadovs authority over the Chechens.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2000 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "In August, a Russian general said that 14 000 guerrillas had died in the past 12 months of battles. No corresponding information could be found on the number of battle-related Russian deaths.
Both sides have tended to exaggerate their enemys losses and minimised their own casualties during the war. Reliable casualty estimates have been elusive."
Comment on Active: In early February, the Russian forces took control over Grozny. President Maskhadov claimed that the rebel withdraw was tactical and that the Russian armys success only was symbolic. Yet, in May, President Putin decreed that Chechnya would be ruled federally. The Russian government appointed Akhmad Kadyrov to be the Chechen leader directly responsible to President Putin. Maskhadovs official status was thereby derecognised by Russia.
In October, despite Russian claims that active hostilities had been concluded, air strikes, guerrilla fighting and bombings in Russian cities continued.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiations: Despite Russias refusal to accept Maskhadov as a legitimate Chechen leader, it was reported that indirect talks took place between the warring parties in early 2000. No information could however be found concerning the topic of the talks.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2001 Dyad Archive
Comment on Active: Russia claimed that the military phase of the anti-terrorist operation had ended, but human rights organisation reported on continued extortion, detention and torture by Russian troops. At the same time, Chechen guerrilla attacks showed no signs of abating. In September, the rebels staged a series of attacks on the outskirts of Grozny.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: On 18 November, the first official direct negotiations took place since the renewal of the hostilities in 1999. The possibility of talks had arisen in October in the context of the Russian governments shifting diplomatic priorities following the 11 September attacks on the USA.
Russian Presidential Envoy Viktor Kazantsev and Chechen Deputy Prime Minister Akhmed Zakayev (a representative of Maskhadov) evaluated the talks positively, although there was some dispute over their substance. No substantive agreement was reached. No further high-level meetings were planned as Kazantsev said that further talks were conditional upon Maskhadov making proposals to disarm his forces.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2002 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: Due to the difficulties in finding independent sources the number of battle-related deaths presented here is quite conservative. It is very possible that the real number of battle-related deaths was substantially higher. However, from the sources available, it has only been possible to verify a smaller number.
Comment on Active: The Chechen rebels continued to carry out bomb attacks in Russian cities. Other major events this year was the Chechens shooting down of a military helicopter, which caused a large number of Russian deaths, and the hostage taking of 700 people in the Moscow theatre. The Russian forces continued their struggle to impose control over the Chechen republic.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiations: There were no reports of negotiations concerning conflict-related issues in 2002. However, the Chechen warring party claimed that there had been low-level contacts between Chechen and Russian representatives during the year. This was not possible to confirm.
There were, on the other hand, several peace initiatives launched by the Chechen leadership. President Maskhadov appealed to President Putin to agree to peace talks, but Russian representatives said Russia would not comment on Maskhadov’s initiative. On 20 August, right after the Chechens shot down a Russian Mi-26 helicopter killing 118 soldiers, President Maskhadov once again stated his willingness to hold peace talks with Moscow. In September, Ruslan Khasbulatov launched a peace plan with President Maskhadovs endorsement. There were no reports of any Russian responses. In an interview on 14 October, also the Chechen commander Shamil Basayev called for direct peace talks with Moscow.
On 15 November, even though Russia ruled out negotiations with President Maskhadov, the government stated that it was willing to have a dialogue with the Chechen authorities, clergymen, elders, and respected Chechen individuals. On 11 December, pro-Moscow Chechens organized discussions on a peace initiative backed by Russia, which excluded the Chechen rebels. It called for a referendum on a new constitution and presidential and parliamentary elections.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2003 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The conflict deescalated during 2003. Most of the reported casualties comes from the Russian government.
Comment on Active: The conflict in Chechnya deescalated during 2003 and during the first months of the year almost no casualties were reported. As a step in Putins peace plan a referendum on a new constitution for the region was held on 23 March. An overwhelming majority supported the constitution, which suggests that the region are to be placed under Russian control. After the referendum the number of rebel attacks and suicide bombings increased and during the summer and fall several hundred people were killed. A majority of the activities has been directed at government and military complexes, which has resulted in that most casualties during the year comes from the Russian side of the conflict.
Putin also offered a limited amnesty for rebels who handed in their weapons and stopped rebel activity before August 1 and intended to decrease the number of Russian troops in Chechnya during the year. A presidential election was held in Chechnya at the end of 2003.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: As a part of Putins peace plan talks on Chechnyas future ties with Moscow was discussed between top Russian and Chechen officials. After the referendum on a new constitution in March, however, rebel activities increased and at the end of the summer Putin declared that he was no longer interested in negotiating with "the terrorists".
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2004 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: Most of the reporting on conflict activity came from the Russian or local Chechen governments. Slightly more rebel than government losses were reported.
Comment on Active: In 2004, the conflict in Chechnya escalated both in intensity and geographically. Clashes were not only reported in Chechnya but also in the adjoining territories to the east (Dagestan) and especially the west (Ingushetia and North Ossetia).
In the first months of the year, there was numerous clashes as the newly elected regional Chechen president, Ahmat Kadyrov, instigated an offensive against rebels throughout the region. On 9 May, Kadyrov was assassinated by a bomb as the conflict escalated dramatically. The rebels became more daring as large-scale 24-hour offensives were launched in simultaneous attacks on cities during the summer months.
Throughout the year but increasing in the summer months, the Chechens launched several "spectacular" attacks on civilians outside Chechnya. This strategy culminated with the hostage-taking of several hundred school children in the North Ossetian city of Beslan in early September. Over 300 people were killed when Russian forces charged the school.
In the aftermath of the Beslan incident, there seemed to be a slight split within the Chechen leadership, as the combat throughout the remains of the year became more traditional.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiations: There were no attempts to negotiate in the conflict during the year. The Chechen leader Maskhadov expressed a willingness to negotiate in interviews at several occasions throughout the year, but neither the Russian or the regional Chechen leadership were willing to engage in contacts.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2005 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The difference in the estimates is due to varying reports of the number rebel deaths from the attack in Nalchik.
There were more casualties among the rebels (386) than within the government (234), additionally 42 civilians died during 2005 in battle-related deaths."
Comment on Active: The conflict in Chechnya was active also 2005, however, the number of battle-related deaths was lower than in 2004. The level of violence was fairly consistent throughout the year with the largest attack conducted in Nalchik, a southern Russian city in the Kabardino-Balkaria region, near Chechnya, on 5 November. Chechen fighters attacked police and army buildings and 127 persons died. This attack was an example of the strategy by the Chechen rebels during 2005 to try to spread the conflict to neighbouring regions. This was an outspoken ambition by Chechen rebel leader Aslan Maskhadov (who was killed 8 March 2005) who said that it was a necessity to “broadening the front of military resistance" after the Russian invasion of Chechnya in 1999: "On my orders, additional sectors were established: Ingush, Kabardino-Balkar, Daghestan, etc. Emirs [commanders] of these fronts were appointed, and they are all subordinate to the military leadership of the Chechen resistance." The spread was mostly to the adjoining territories, Dagestan (to the east) and Ingushetia (to the west).
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiations: In 2004 Aslan Maskhadov expressed a willingness to negotiate in interviews at several occasions throughout the year. But during 2005 there has not been any such proposals and with Adbul-Khalim Sadulayev in power instead of Maskhadov negotiations seems even further away.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2006 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The majority of deaths in 2006 were recorded for Chechen rebels.
Comment on Active: The conflict continued to be active in 2006 with approximately 260 battle-related deaths, a significantly lower level of violence than in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Russian and Chechen authorities claimed at many stages to have severely weakened the rebels, and the number of deaths would support such a claim. The rebels did not carry out any spectacular terrorist attacks, such as the Beslan incident, in 2006, and also did not engage in any large-scale clashes. Violence instead took the form of raids and guerrilla warfare against Russian federal and Chechen security forces, and federal and security forces operations to arrest or kill smaller cells of rebels. Some notable successes were recorded for the Russian and security forces, namely the killing of the infamous rebel leader Basayev (responsible for numerous high-profile clashes and terrorists attacks, such as Beslan) in July and separatist leader Saydullayev in June. Clashes and violence continued to take place not only in Chechnya, but also to a great extent in neighbouring regions, most prominently in Dagestan and Ingushetia. Overall, the security situation in Chechnya was unstable, with numerous kidnappings, murders and disappearances throughout the year.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiations: No negotiations were held between the primary parties in 2006. However, the Foreign Minister of the Chechen Republic published a “Peace Manifesto” in July, stating that the rebels were open to negotiations and suggestions that could lead to a settlement short of independence. The Presidency of the Chechen Republic denounced the manifesto claiming it did not represent the views of the organization. In any case, the Kremlin rebuffed the gesture and demanded nothing short of complete surrender.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2007 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The majority of battle-deaths were located in Chechnya. On 7 October 2007, then-President of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria (ChRI) Doku Umarov proclaimed the Caucasus Emirate, a unified Caucasian Islamic state, and abolished the ChRI. Thus, the goal of achieving independence for Chechnya was subsumed under the broader aim of establishing a Caucasus Emirate. As the incompatibility of the conflicting parties changed, UCDP regards the conflict over Chechnya as terminated by 7 October 2007. Instead, a new conflict over the Caucasus Emirate is recorded as starting the same day. Thus, all battle-deaths recorded after 7 October are coded as resulting from the conflict over the Caucasus Emirate.
Comment on Active: Like in previous years, the forces of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria (ChRI) engaged in guerrilla warfare. On the side of Russia, the main operations were carried out by local law enforcement forces under the command of the newly-appointed President of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov.
Conflict-related violence continued to take place not only in Chechnya, but also to an increasing extent in neighbouring Russian republics, most prominently in Dagestan and Ingushetia. However, no major clashes were reported and the rebel movement lost some commanders such as the Dagestani commander Rappani Khalilov and Rustam Basayev, a close associate of then-ChRI-president, Doku Umarov. The conflict was formally terminated when Doku Umarov abolished the ChRI and proclaimed the Caucasus Emirate on 7 October.
The region saw also many disappearances, abductions and other human rights violations as well as harassments against journalists and local human rights activists.
Negotiations: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: YES
Type of termination: Other
Date of termination: 2007-10-07
Comment on Termination: The conflict was formally terminated when then-President of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria (ChRI), Doku Umarov abolished the ChRI and proclaimed the Caucasus Emirate on 7 October.
2017 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
2023 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
2024 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
