View source for Chechen Republic of Ichkeria

{{Short description|Former unrecognized state}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox country
| native_name            = {{ubl|{{native name|ce-latn|Nóxçiyn Respublik Içkeri|Нохчийн Республик Ичкери|Чеченская Республика Ичкерия}}}}
| conventional_long_name = {{ubl|Chechen Republic of Ichkeria}}
| common_name            = Chechnya
| status                 = {{ubl|[[Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republics|Soviet autonomous republic]] (1991)|[[Independent state]] (''de&nbsp;facto''; 1991–2000)|[[Government in exile]] (2000–present)}}
| empire                 = Soviet Union
| p1                     = Checheno-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic{{!}}{{nowrap|Checheno-Ingush}} ASSR
| flag_p1                = Flag of Chechen-Ingush ASSR (1978-1991).svg
| s1                     = Chechnya
| flag_s1                = Flag of the Chechen Republic (before 2004).svg
| image_flag             = Flag of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.svg
| image_coat             = Coat of arms of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.svg
| symbol                 = Tukkhum#Proposed tukkhum system
| image_map              = {{Switcher|[[File:Chechnya (orthographic projection).png|frameless]]|Show globe|[[File:Europe Location Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.svg |frameless]]|Show map of Europe|default=1}}
| map_caption            = {{map caption |location_color=green |region=Europe |region_color=dark grey |legend=Europe Location Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.svg}}
| capital                = [[Grozny]]<br />{{coord|43|18|45|N|45|41|55|E}}
| national_motto         = {{native name|ce|Маршо я Ӏожалла!/Marşo ya Joƶalla!}}<br />{{native name|ru|Свобода или смерть!}}
| englishmotto           = Freedom or Death!
| national_anthem        = {{lang|ce|Ӏожалла я маршо}}<br>{{transliteration|ce|[[Anthem of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria|Joƶalla ya marşo]]}}<br>"Death or Freedom"{{parabr}}{{center| }}
| official_languages     = {{hlist|[[Chechen language|Chechen]]|[[Russian language|Russian]]<ref name=constitution>{{cite web|title=The Constitution of Chechen Republic Ichkeria|url=http://www.waynakh.com/eng/chechnya/constitution/|website=Waynakh Online|access-date=10 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518101635/http://www.waynakh.com/eng/chechnya/constitution/|archive-date=18 May 2015}}</ref>}}
| religion               = {{ubl|[[State secularism]]<ref name="constitution" /> (1991–1996)<br>[[Sunni Islam]] (1996–2000)}}
| demonym                = Chechen, Ichkerian
| government_type        = [[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[semi-presidential republic]] (1991–1997)<br>[[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[semi-presidential]] [[Islamic republic]] (1997–2000)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zhaina.com/history/261-konstitucija-chechenskojj-respubliki.html|title=Конституция Чеченской Республики » Zhaina — Нахская библиотека|website=zhaina.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310132322/http://zhaina.com/history/261-konstitucija-chechenskojj-respubliki.html|archive-date=10 March 2016|access-date=10 March 2016}}</ref><br>[[Government in exile]] (2000-present)
| title_leader           = [[President of Ichkeria|President]]
| leader1                = [[Dzhokhar Dudayev]]
| year_leader1           = 1991–1996
| leader2                = [[Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev]]
| year_leader2           = 1996–1997
| leader3                = [[Aslan Maskhadov]]
| year_leader3           = 1997–2000
| title_representative   = President-in-exile
| representative1        = [[Aslan Maskhadov]]
| year_representative1   = 2000–2005
| representative2        = [[Abdul-Halim Sadulayev]]
| year_representative2   = 2005–2006
| representative3        = [[Dokka Umarov]]
| year_representative3   = 2006–2007
| title_deputy           = [[Prime Minister of Ichkeria|Prime Minister]]
| deputy1                = [[Dzhokhar Dudayev]]
| year_deputy1           = 1991–1996 (first)
| deputy2                = [[Aslan Maskhadov]]
| year_deputy2           = 1998–2000 (last)
| deputy3                = [[Akhmed Zakayev]]<ref name="caucasuswatch" />
| year_deputy3           = 2007–present (in exile)
| legislature            = [[Parliament of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria|Parliament]]
| area_km2               = 15,300
| era                    = [[Dissolution of the USSR|Dissolution of the Soviet Union]]
| life_span              = 1991–2000<br>{{nobold|2000–present: [[Government-in-exile]]}}
| event_start            = [[Chechen Revolution]]
| date_start             = 19 August–15 September
| year_start             = 1991
| event1                 = [[Declaration of Sovereignty of the Chechen Republic|Independence]]
| date_event1            = 1 November 1991
| event2                 = [[First Chechen War|First war]] with<br/>Russia began
| date_event2            = 11 December 1994
| event3                 = [[Russia–Chechnya Peace Treaty|Moscow Peace Treaty]] signed
| date_event3            = 12 May 1997
| event4                 = [[Second Chechen War|Second war]] started
| date_event4            = 26 August 1999
| event_end              = [[Battle of Grozny (1999–2000)|Fall of Grozny]]
| date_end               = 6 February
| year_end               = 2000
| date_post              = 31 October 2007
| event_post             = [[Caucasus Emirate|Emirate]] proclaimed
| currency               = {{ubl|[[Russian ruble]]|''[[Chechen naxar]]''{{Efn|Planned; never entered circulation.}}}}
| today                  = {{Tree list}}
*[[Russia]]
** [[Chechnya]]
{{Tree list/end}}
}}
{{History of Chechnya}}

The '''Chechen Republic of Ichkeria''' ({{IPAc-en|ɪ|tʃ|ˈ|k|ɛr|i|ə}} {{respell|itch|KERR|ee|ə}}; {{langx|ce|Нохчийн Республик Ичкери|Nóxçiyn Respublik Içkeri}}<!--[[Help:IPA|[noχtʃʰiːn pʰɑtʃʜɑlq nɔχtʃɪtʃʰy̯ø]]]-->; {{langx|ru|Чеченская Республика Ичкерия|Chechenskaya Respublika Ichkeriya}}; abbreviated as "'''ChRI'''" or "'''CRI'''"), known simply as '''Ichkeria''', was a ''[[de facto]]'' [[State (polity)|state]] that controlled most of the former [[Checheno-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Checheno-Ingush ASSR]] from 1991 to 2000 and has been a [[government-in-exile]] since.

In September–October 1991, supporters of [[Dzhokhar Dudayev]] seized power in Chechnya in the [[Chechen Revolution]]. Dudayev was subsequently elected as Chechnya's President and in this new position, he [[Declaration of Sovereignty of the Chechen Republic|proclaimed Chechnya's independence]] from Russia. The move was welcomed by Georgia's President [[Zviad Gamsakhurdia]], who was one of the first to congratulate Dudayev with victory and attended his inauguration as president in [[Grozny]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=E. Cornell |first1=Svante |last2=Frederick Starr |first2=Stephen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oGVsBgAAQBAJ |title=The Guns of August 2008 Russia's War in Georgia |date=28 January 2015 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-317-45653-7 |pages=30 |language=English}}</ref> While Chechnya did not receive backing from the international community, it received support and attention from Georgia, which became its only gateway to the outside world that was not controlled by [[Moscow]]. Close ties between Gamsakhurdia and Dudayev led to Russian officials, including [[Alexander Rutskoy]], accusing Georgia of "fomenting unrest in the [Chechen autonomous] republic".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dunlop |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AxwpDAAAQBAJ |title=Russia Confronts Chechnya: Roots of a Separatist Conflict |date=1998 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-63619-3 |pages=109 |language=English}}</ref>

The [[First Chechen War]] of 1994–1996 resulted in the victory of the separatist forces.<ref name="stillgrowling">{{cite news |date=22 January 1998 |title=Still growling |newspaper=The Economist |url=http://www.economist.com/node/603122?zid=307&ah=5e80419d1bc9821ebe173f4f0f060a07 |url-status=live |access-date=9 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209061710/http://www.economist.com/node/603122?zid=307&ah=5e80419d1bc9821ebe173f4f0f060a07 |archive-date=9 December 2017}}</ref> After achieving ''de facto'' independence from Russia in 1996,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sakwa |first1=Richard |title=Chechnya: From Past to Future |date=2005 |publisher=Anthem Press |isbn=9781843313618 |page=280}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Meyers |first1=Jeff |title=The Criminal–Terror Nexus in Chechnya: A Historical, Social, and Religious Analysis |date=2017 |publisher=Lexington Books |isbn=9781498539319 |page=129}}</ref> kidnappings and violence between gangs plagued the region, which the government was unable to control.<ref name="bbccrime">{{cite news |date=20 July 1998 |title=Chechen president cracks down on crime |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/135716.stm |url-status=live |access-date=9 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210073959/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/135716.stm |archive-date=10 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=15 October 1999 |title=Chechnya, Torn by War, Is Also Being Tormented by Kidnappings |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/15/world/chechnya-torn-by-war-is-also-being-tormented-by-kidnappings.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=21 January 2023 |archive-date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121050723/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/15/world/chechnya-torn-by-war-is-also-being-tormented-by-kidnappings.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 1997, Chechnya was proclaimed an Islamic republic.<ref>{{cite news |date=18 September 1997 |title=Chechnya's chop-chop justice |newspaper=The Economist |url=http://www.economist.com/node/157240?zid=307&ah=5e80419d1bc9821ebe173f4f0f060a07 |url-status=live |access-date=9 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209061710/http://www.economist.com/node/157240?zid=307&ah=5e80419d1bc9821ebe173f4f0f060a07 |archive-date=9 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=5 November 1997 |title=Chechnya proclaimed Islamic republic |language=en |work=UPI |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1997/11/05/Chechnya-proclaimed-Islamic-republic/4210878706000/ |url-status=live |access-date=9 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209152110/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1997/11/05/Chechnya-proclaimed-Islamic-republic/4210878706000/ |archive-date=9 December 2017}}</ref> The [[Second Chechen War]] began in August 1999, with Ichkeria falling and subsequently being forcibly subsumed back under the control of the Russian central government in 2000. An insurgency followed soon thereafter, officially ending in April 2009 after several years of conflict.<ref>{{cite news |date=11 August 2015 |title=Chechnya profile |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18190473 |url-status=live |access-date=9 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170530043837/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18190473 |archive-date=30 May 2017}}</ref> Since 2000, the Ichkerian government has continued its activities [[government-in-exile|in exile]]. In October 2022, the Ukrainian [[Verkhovna Rada]] [[Ukrainian recognition of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria|voted to recognize the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria as "temporarily occupied" by Russia.]]<ref name="yahoo2">{{Cite web|title=Ukraine recognizes the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria and the Armed Forces of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria resurrected in Ukraine by the Government in exile|url=https://news.yahoo.com/ukraine-recognizes-chechen-republic-ichkeria-154900042.html|website=news.yahoo.com|date=18 October 2022|access-date=18 October 2022|archive-date=19 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019154120/https://news.yahoo.com/ukraine-recognizes-chechen-republic-ichkeria-154900042.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="reuters2">{{Cite web |date=18 October 2022 |title=Ukraine lawmakers brand Chechnya 'Russian-occupied' in dig at Kremlin |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-lawmakers-brand-chechnya-russian-occupied-dig-kremlin-2022-10-18/ |access-date=18 October 2022 |website=Reuters |archive-date=11 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211224426/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-lawmakers-brand-chechnya-russian-occupied-dig-kremlin-2022-10-18/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Etymology==
The name "Ichkeria" comes from the river Iskark in South-Eastern Chechnya, which is a small stream flowing into Belka, a tributary to [[Sunzha]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bakaev|first=Hasan|title=About the name of Ichkeria|url=https://www.proza.ru/2018/10/05/1864|access-date=14 May 2023|archive-date=14 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514224639/https://proza.ru/2018/10/05/1864|url-status=live}}</ref> The term was mentioned first as "Iskeria" in a Russian document by Colonel Konstantin Belevich from 1836.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://elib.shpl.ru/ru/nodes/4915-belevich-k-p-neskolko-kartin-iz-kavkazskoy-voyny-i-nravov-gortsev-spb-1910?view=list|title=ГПИБ {{!}} Белевич К. П. Несколько картин из кавказской войны и нравов горцев. – СПб., 1910.|first=Н. П.|last=ИнфоРост|website=elib.shpl.ru|access-date=2023-11-28|archive-date=30 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330160008/http://elib.shpl.ru/ru/nodes/4915-belevich-k-p-neskolko-kartin-iz-kavkazskoy-voyny-i-nravov-gortsev-spb-1910?view=list|url-status=live}}</ref> The term was originally used as an [[Endonym and exonym|exonym]] for the Chechens, who instead referred to the landscape as "Noxçi-moxk" (Chechen lands).<ref>{{lang|ru|Ошаев, Х. Д.}}, cited in [[:ru:Кушева, Екатерина Николаевна|{{lang|ru|Кушева, Екатерина Николаевна}}]], [http://apsnyteka.org/file/kusheva_e_narody_severnogo_kavkaza_i_ikh_svjazi_s_rossiei.pdf]{{lang|ru|Народы Северного Кавказа и их связи с Россией (вторая половина XVI — 30-е годы XVII века)}} [Peoples of the North Caucasus and their contacts with Russia], Moscow: 1963, p. 74</ref> In the 19th century, the Russians began to use it as a [[Toponymy|toponym]].<ref>{{cite-web |last=Bakaev |first=Hasan |year=2018 |title=названии Ичкерия |trans-title=On the name Ichkeria |url=https://www.proza.ru/2018/10/05/1864 |work=proza.ru}}</ref>

== History ==
{{Further|List of wars involving the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria}}

=== Declaration of independence ===
In November 1990, [[Dzhokhar Dudayev]] was elected head of the Executive Committee of the unofficial opposition Chechen National Congress (NCChP),<ref name="igpi.ru">[http://www.igpi.ru/monitoring/1047645476/oct_97/chechen.html Чеченская Республика Ичкерия. Общий обзор] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304035623/http://igpi.ru/monitoring/1047645476/oct_97/chechen.html |date=4 March 2021 }} // IGPI.RU</ref> which advocated [[sovereignty]] for Chechnya as a separate republic within the [[Soviet Union]].

On 8 June 1991, at the initiative of Dzhokhar Dudayev, a part of the delegates of the First Chechen National Congress gathered in Grozny, which proclaimed itself the [[All-National Congress of the Chechen People]] (OKChN).<ref name="igpi.ru" /><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://versia.ru/v-1991-godu-usmirit-chechnyu-mozhno-bylo-silami-specnaza |title=Десять дней, которые отменили мир |access-date=31 October 2020 |archive-date=5 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705144211/https://versia.ru/v-1991-godu-usmirit-chechnyu-mozhno-bylo-silami-specnaza |url-status=live }}</ref> Following this, was proclaimed the Chechen Republic (Nokhchi-cho).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://chechenlaw.ru/?p=749 |title=Решение Общенационального Конгресса (Съезда) Чеченского Народа (г. Грозный, 8 июня 1991 г.) |date=14 February 2015 |access-date=31 October 2020 |archive-date=4 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304114043/https://chechenlaw.ru/?p=749 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.knowbysight.info/1_RSFSR/09176.asp |title=Чеченская Республика Нохчи-чо |access-date=31 October 2020 |archive-date=11 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511030959/http://www.knowbysight.info/1_RSFSR/09176.asp |url-status=live }}</ref> A month later, the self-proclaimed republic was declared an independent state.<ref name="memo.ru">''Черкасов А. В.'', ''Орлов О. П.'' [https://web.archive.org/web/20170206112200/http://memo.ru/hr/hotpoints/chechen/itogi Россия-Чечня: цепь ошибок и преступлений]</ref>

The [[1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt|Soviet coup d'état attempt]] on 19 August 1991 became the spark for the so-called [[Chechen Revolution]].<ref name="igpi.ru" /><ref name="yevsyukova95"/> On 21 August, the OKChN called for the overthrow of the [[Supreme Soviet]] of the Chechen-Ingush ASSR.<ref name="igpi.ru" /><ref name="yevsyukova95">{{cite web|last1=Yevsyukova|first1=Mariya|title=The Conflict Between Russia And Chechnya – Working Paper #95-5(1)|url=https://www.colorado.edu/conflict/full_text_search/AllCRCDocs/95-5.htm|website=University of Colorado, Boulder|access-date=10 December 2017|date=1995|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204120910/http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/full_text_search/AllCRCDocs/95-5.htm|archive-date=4 December 2016}}</ref> On 6 September 1991, OKChN squads seized the local KGB headquarters, and took over the building of the Supreme Soviet.<ref name="igpi.ru" /><ref name="firstwark">{{cite news|title=Первая война|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/2630476|access-date=11 December 2017|work=Коммерсантъ|date=13 December 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507230240/http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/2630476|archive-date=7 May 2017}}</ref> Following the [[Chechen Revolution|revolution]], the OKChN declared itself the only legitimate authority in the region.<ref name="igpi.ru" /><ref name="firstwark"/> On 27 October 1991, Dudayev was [[1991 Chechen presidential election|elected]] president of the Chechen Republic.<ref name="igpi.ru" /><ref>{{cite news|last1=Dobbs|first1=Michael|title=Ethnic Strife Splintering Core of Russian Republic|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/10/29/ethnic-strife-splintering-core-of-russian-republic/6928cbef-a2b4-400c-b71b-6db380988f14/|newspaper=Washington Post|date=29 October 1991|access-date=10 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210124051/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/10/29/ethnic-strife-splintering-core-of-russian-republic/6928cbef-a2b4-400c-b71b-6db380988f14/|archive-date=10 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Dudayev, in his new position as president, issued a unilateral declaration of independence on 1 November 1991.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://chechenlaw.ru/?p=447 |title=Указ Президента Чеченской Республики от 1 ноября 1991 года «О государственном суверенитете Чеченской Республики» |date=21 July 2010 |access-date=31 October 2020 |archive-date=6 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106092233/https://chechenlaw.ru/?p=447 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="defiantguardian">{{cite news|title=Defiance of the wolf baying at Yeltsin's door|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/1994/sep/08/chechnya|work=The Guardian|date=8 September 1994|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823162000/http://www.theguardian.com/world/1994/sep/08/chechnya|archive-date=23 August 2013}}</ref> Initially, his stated objective was for Checheno-Ingushetia to become a [[union republic]] within Russia.<ref name="trevelyan91">{{cite news|last1=Trevelyan|first1=Mark|title=Breakaway leader challenges Russia|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/1991/nov/13/chechnya|access-date=9 December 2017|work=The Guardian|date=13 November 1991|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823161344/http://www.theguardian.com/world/1991/nov/13/chechnya|archive-date=23 August 2013}}</ref>

Dudayev released 640 inmates from a prison in Grozny, many of whom became his personal body guards.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Meyers |first1=Jeff |title=The Criminal–Terror Nexus in Chechnya |date=2017 |publisher=Lexington Books |isbn=9781498539319 |page=89}}</ref><ref name="bohlen91">{{cite news|last1=Bohlen|first1=Celestine|title=Legislators Block Yeltsin Rule of Breakaway Area|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/12/world/legislators-block-yeltsin-rule-of-breakaway-area.html|access-date=9 December 2017|work=The New York Times|date=12 November 1991|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525225454/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/12/world/legislators-block-yeltsin-rule-of-breakaway-area.html|archive-date=25 May 2015}}</ref> Among the prisoners was [[Ruslan Labazanov]], who was serving a sentence for armed robbery and murder, and later headed a pro-Dudayev militia.<ref name="uppsalalabazanov">{{cite web|title=Forces of Rusland Labazanov|url=http://ucdp.uu.se/#/actor/841|website=Uppsala Conflict Data Program|access-date=10 December 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001172908/http://ucdp.uu.se/#/actor/841|archive-date=1 October 2017}}</ref> As crowds of armed separatists gathered in Grozny, Russian President [[Boris Yeltsin]] sought to declare a state of emergency in the region, but his efforts were thwarted by the Russian parliament.<ref name="memo.ru" /><ref name="trevelyan91"/> An early attempt by Russian authorities to confront the pro-independence forces in November 1991 ended after just three days.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hockstader|first1=Lee|title=Russia Pours Troops Into Breakaway Region|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/russiagov/stories/chechnya121294.htm|access-date=9 December 2017|newspaper=Washington Post|date=12 December 1994|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000903092110/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/russiagov/stories/chechnya121294.htm|archive-date=3 September 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Steele|first1=Jonathan|title=Yeltsin fails to bring rebels to heel|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/1991/nov/11/chechnya.jonathansteele|access-date=9 December 2017|work=The Guardian|date=11 November 1991|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823161342/http://www.theguardian.com/world/1991/nov/11/chechnya.jonathansteele|archive-date=23 August 2013}}</ref>

According to an article originally published by a Kremlin-backed publication, ''Komsomolskaya Pravda'', and reprinted in early 1992 by ''The Guardian'', Dudayev allegedly signed a decree outlawing the extradition of criminals to any country which did not recognize Chechnya.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Baranovski|first1=I.|title=Mob Rule in Moscow|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/1992/jun/12/chechnya|website=The Guardian|access-date=9 December 2017|date=12 June 1992|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823161428/http://www.theguardian.com/world/1992/jun/12/chechnya|archive-date=23 August 2013}}</ref> After being informed that the Russian government would not recognize Chechnya's independence, he declared that he would not recognize Russia.<ref name="defiantguardian"/> Grozny became an organized crime haven, as the government proved unable or unwilling to curb criminal activities.<ref name="defiantguardian"/>

Dudayev's government created the [[constitution]] of the Chechen Republic, which was introduced in March 1992.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://chechenlaw.ru/?p=94 |title=Постановление Парламента Чеченской Республики от 2 марта 1992 г. О порядке вступления в силу Конституции Чеченской Республики |date=30 April 2010 |access-date=6 November 2020 |archive-date=16 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516054032/https://chechenlaw.ru/?p=94 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Fuller |first1=Liz |title=Chechen Leadership In Exile Seeks To Salvage Legitimacy |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/1079136.html |website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |access-date=5 October 2023 |language=en |date=2 February 2012 |archive-date=9 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009044505/https://www.rferl.org/a/1079136.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In the same month, armed clashes occurred between pro and anti-Dudayev factions, leading Dudayev to declare a state of emergency.<ref name="telegraphtimeline9294">{{cite news|title=1992–1994: Independence in all but name|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1399563/1992-1994-Independence-in-all-but-name.html|access-date=10 December 2017|work=The Telegraph|date=1 January 2001|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228065340/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1399563/1992-1994-Independence-in-all-but-name.html|archive-date=28 February 2016}}</ref> Chechnya and Ingushetia separated on 4 June 1992.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bombers threaten Ingush Duma hopeful|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/07/01/Bombers-threaten-Ingush-Duma-hopeful/4539962424000/?spt=su|access-date=10 December 2017|work=UPI|date=1 July 2000|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210233025/https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/07/01/Bombers-threaten-Ingush-Duma-hopeful/4539962424000/?spt=su|archive-date=10 December 2017}}</ref> Relationship between Dudayev and the parliament deteriorated, and in June 1992 he dissolved the parliament, establishing direct presidential rule.<ref name="telegraphtimeline9294"/>

In late October 1992, federal forces were dispatched to end the [[Ossetian-Ingush conflict]]. As Russian troops sealed the border between Chechnya and Ingushetia to prevent arms shipments, Dudayev threatened to take action unless the Russians withdrew.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Schmemann|first1=Serge|title=Russian Troops Arrive As Caucasus Flares Up|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/11/world/russian-troops-arrive-as-caucasus-flares-up.html?n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/Subjects/M/Minorities%20(US)|access-date=10 December 2017|work=The New York Times|date=11 November 1992|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210073959/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/11/world/russian-troops-arrive-as-caucasus-flares-up.html?n=Top%2FReference%2FTimes%20Topics%2FSubjects%2FM%2FMinorities%20%28US%29|archive-date=10 December 2017}}</ref> Russian and Chechen forces mutually agreed to a withdrawal, and the incident ended peacefully.<ref name="jenkinson02">{{cite web|last1=Jenkinson|first1=Brett C.|title=Tactical Observations From The Grozny Combat Experience|url=http://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a407003.pdf|publisher=United States Military Academy, West Point|access-date=10 December 2017|date=2002|page=29|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430025147/http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a407003.pdf|archive-date=30 April 2017}}</ref>

Clashes between supporters and opponents of Dudayev occurred in April 1993. The President fired Interior Minister Sharpudin Larsanov after he refused to disperse the protesters.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chechens in bloody protest|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/chechens-in-bloody-protest-1457489.html|access-date=10 December 2017|work=The Independent|date=26 April 1993|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210073959/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/chechens-in-bloody-protest-1457489.html|archive-date=10 December 2017}}</ref> The opposition planned a no-confidence referendum against Dudayev for 5 June 1993.<ref name="upiarmedstandoff">{{cite news|title=Armed standoff in breakaway Russian province|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/06/17/Armed-standoff-in-breakaway-Russian-province/3762740289600/|access-date=10 December 2017|work=UPI|date=17 June 1993|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210175926/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/06/17/Armed-standoff-in-breakaway-Russian-province/3762740289600/|archive-date=10 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The government deployed army and riot police to prevent the vote from taking place, leading to bloodshed.<ref name="upiarmedstandoff"/>

After staging another coup attempt in December 1993, the opposition organized a Provisional Council as a potential alternative government for Chechnya,<ref name="igpi.ru" /><ref name="memo.ru" /> calling on Moscow for assistance.

On 14 January 1994, by Dudayev's decree, the Chechen Republic (Nokhchi-cho) was renamed the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.<ref name="igpi.ru" /><ref name="memo.ru" />

=== First war ===
{{Main|First Chechen War}}
The general feeling of lawlessness in Chechnya increased during the first seven months in 1994, when four hijacking accidents occurred, involving people trying to flee the country.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=Duane "Mike"|last2=Hodges|first2=Frederick "Ben"|title=War as a Continuation of Policy|url=http://www.dtic.mil/get-tr-doc/pdf?AD=ADA442412|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210073959/http://www.dtic.mil/get-tr-doc/pdf?AD=ADA442412|archive-date=10 December 2017}}</ref> In May 1994, Labazanov changed sides, establishing the anti-Dudayev Niyso Movement.<ref name="uppsalalabazanov"/> In July 1994, 41 passengers aboard a bus near [[Mineralniye Vody]] were held by kidnappers demanding $15 million and helicopters.<ref>{{cite news|title=Russians show photos that 'prove Chechen beheadings'|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russians-show-photos-that-prove-chechen-beheadings-1373733.html|access-date=10 December 2017|work=The Independent|date=2 August 1994|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104010657/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russians-show-photos-that-prove-chechen-beheadings-1373733.html|archive-date=4 January 2013}}</ref> After this incident, the Russian government started to openly support opposition forces in Chechnya.<ref>{{cite news|title=Russia loses patience with Chechen rebels|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-loses-patience-with-chechen-rebels-1373559.html|access-date=10 December 2017|work=The Independent|date=1 August 1994|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210233025/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-loses-patience-with-chechen-rebels-1373559.html|archive-date=10 December 2017}}</ref>

In August 1994, Umar Avturkhanov, leader of the pro-Russian Provisional Council, launched an attack against pro-Dudayev forces.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Efron|first1=Sonni|title=Opposition Reports Toppling Chief of Breakaway Russian Republic|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-08-03-mn-23004-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|date=3 August 1994|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204070341/http://articles.latimes.com/1994-08-03/news/mn-23004_1_russian-government|archive-date=4 December 2015}}</ref> Dudayev ordered the mobilization of the Chechen military, threatening a jihad against Russia as a response to Russian support for his political opponents.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Meek|first1=James|title=Dudayev threatens holy war|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/1994/aug/12/chechnya.jamesmeek|access-date=9 December 2017|work=The Guardian|date=12 August 1994|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823161801/http://www.theguardian.com/world/1994/aug/12/chechnya.jamesmeek|archive-date=23 August 2013}}</ref>

In November 1994, Avturkhanov's forces attempted to [[Battle of Grozny (November 1994)|storm the city of Grozny]], but they were defeated by Dudayev's forces.<ref>{{cite news|title=The savagery of war: A soldier looks back at Chechnya|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-savagery-of-war-a-soldier-looks-back-at-chechnya-5329021.html|access-date=10 December 2017|work=The Independent|date=10 November 2007|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211053314/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-savagery-of-war-a-soldier-looks-back-at-chechnya-5329021.html|archive-date=11 December 2017}}</ref> Dudayev declared his intention to turn Chechnya into an Islamic state, stating that the recognition of sharia was a way to fight Russian aggression.<ref>{{cite news|title=President of Chechnya Backs Islamic State|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/11/21/world/president-of-chechnya-backs-islamic-state.html|access-date=9 December 2017|work=The New York Times|date=21 November 1994|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221153448/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/11/21/world/president-of-chechnya-backs-islamic-state.html|archive-date=21 February 2011}}</ref> He also vowed to punish the captured Chechen rebels under Islamic law, and threatened to execute Russian prisoners.<ref>{{cite news|title=Airstrike hits Chechen separatist region|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1994/11/29/Airstrike-hits-Chechen-separatist-region/9176786085200/|access-date=10 December 2017|work=UPI|date=29 November 1994|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211005041/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1994/11/29/Airstrike-hits-Chechen-separatist-region/9176786085200/|archive-date=11 December 2017}}</ref>

The [[First Chechen War]] began in December 1994, when Russian troops were sent to Chechnya to fight the separatist forces.<ref name="cnnpullout">{{cite news|title=Russian troops begin pullout in Chechnya|url=http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9608/25/chechnya/index.html|work=CNN|date=25 August 1996|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050429212740/http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9608/25/chechnya/index.html|archive-date=29 April 2005}}</ref> During the [[Battle of Grozny (1994–95)]], the city's population dropped from 400,000 to 140,000.<ref name="erlanger95">{{cite news|last1=Erlanger|first1=Steven|title=In Fallen Chechen Capital, Medical Care Is in Ruins|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/09/world/in-fallen-chechen-capital-medical-care-is-in-ruins.html|access-date=9 December 2017|work=The New York Times|date=9 April 1995|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526142830/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/09/world/in-fallen-chechen-capital-medical-care-is-in-ruins.html|archive-date=26 May 2015}}</ref> Most of the civilians stranded in the city were elderly ethnic Russians, as many Chechens had support networks of relatives living in villages who took them in.<ref name="erlanger95"/>

Former Minister of the Chemical and Oil Refining Industry of the USSR Salambek Khadzhiyev was appointed leader of the officially recognized Chechen government in November 1994.<ref name="igpi.ru" /><ref>{{cite news|last1=Erlanger|first1=Steven|title=Grozny Journal; Picking Up, After Guns Have Done Their Worst|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/29/world/grozny-journal-picking-up-after-guns-have-done-their-worst.html|access-date=9 December 2017|work=The New York Times|date=29 March 1995|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526150559/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/29/world/grozny-journal-picking-up-after-guns-have-done-their-worst.html|archive-date=26 May 2015}}</ref> The conflict ended after the Russian defeat in the [[Battle of Grozny (August 1996)|Battle of Grozny]] of August 1996.<ref name="cnnpullout"/>

=== Interwar period (1996–1999) ===
According to Russian sources, after the Russian withdrawal, crime became rampant, with kidnappings and murders multiplying as rival rebel factions fought for territory.<ref name="stanley97">{{cite news|last1=Stanley|first1=Alessandra|title=Chechen Voters' Key Concerns: Order and Stability|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/24/world/chechen-voters-key-concerns-order-and-stability.html|access-date=9 December 2017|work=The New York Times|date=24 January 1997|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527065609/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/24/world/chechen-voters-key-concerns-order-and-stability.html|archive-date=27 May 2015}}</ref> In December 1996, six [[Red Cross]] workers were killed, resulting in most foreign aid workers leaving the country.<ref name="stanley97"/>

Parliamentary and presidential elections took place in January 1997 in Chechnya and brought to power [[Aslan Maskhadov]]. The elections were deemed free and fair, but no government recognized Chechnya's independence, except for the [[Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996–2001)|Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Reynolds|first1=Maura|title=Envoys of Russia, Chechnya Discuss Options for Peace|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-sep-28-mn-50972-story.html|access-date=9 December 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|date=28 September 2001|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209171851/http://articles.latimes.com/2001/sep/28/news/mn-50972|archive-date=9 December 2017}}</ref> According to a 1997 Moscow Times article, ethnic Russian refugees were prevented from returning to vote by threats and intimidation, and Chechen authorities refused to set up polling booths outside the republic.<ref>{{cite news|title=Little Hope in Poll for Ethnic Russians|url=http://old.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/tmt/313054.html|access-date=9 December 2017|work=The Moscow Times|date=23 January 1997|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210074000/http://old.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/tmt/313054.html|archive-date=10 December 2017}}</ref>

Maskhadov sought to maintain Chechen sovereignty while pressing [[Moscow]] to help rebuild the republic, whose formal economy and infrastructure were virtually destroyed in Russia's war against Chechen independence from Moscow.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freedomhouse.org/modules/mod_call_dsp_country-fiw.cfm?year=2003&country=2593|title=Freedomhouse.org|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20110208191204/http://www.freedomhouse.org/modules/mod_call_dsp_country-fiw.cfm?year=2003&country=2593|archive-date=8 February 2011}}</ref>

In May 1997, the [[Russia–Chechen Peace Treaty]] was signed by Maskhadov and Yeltsin.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Stanley|first1=Alessandra|title=Yeltsin Signs Peace Treaty With Chechnya|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/13/world/yeltsin-signs-peace-treaty-with-chechnya.html|work=The New York Times|date=13 May 1997|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120112625/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/13/world/yeltsin-signs-peace-treaty-with-chechnya.html|archive-date=20 November 2010}}</ref> Russia continued to transfer funds for schools and hospitals in Chechnya and paid pensions to its residents. Some of this money was stolen by the Chechen authorities and divided between the warlords.<ref name=aron /> Nearly half a million people (40% of Chechnya's prewar population) have been internally displaced and lived in [[refugee camps]] or overcrowded villages.<ref name="dissident">[[Alexander Goldfarb (author)|Alex Goldfarb]] and Marina Litvinenko. [https://www.amazon.com/dp/1416551654/ "Death of a Dissident: The Poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko and the Return of the KGB"]. Free Press, New York, 2007. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129143706/https://www.amazon.com/dp/1416551654/ |date=29 January 2017 }} {{ISBN|978-1-4165-5165-2}}.</ref> The economy was destroyed. Two Russian brigades were stationed in Chechnya and did not leave.<ref name="dissident" /> Maskhadov made efforts to rebuild the country and its devastated capital [[Grozny]] by trading oil in countries such as the [[United Kingdom]].{{cn|date=January 2023}}<!-- Source claims to be a Sunday Times article, but we should not believe that, because this isn't the Sunday Times website (and I couldn't find an accessible copy there): <ref>[http://www.amina.com/article/visit_lon.html London Sunday Times on Mashkadov visit] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612125309/http://www.amina.com/article/visit_lon.html |date=12 June 2008 }}</ref> -->

Chechnya had been badly damaged by Russia's war against the newly formed republic's independence, and the economy was in shambles.<ref>Peter Brownfeld (March 2003). [http://www.iai.it/pdf/articles/brownfeld.pdf "The Afghanisation of Chechnya"]. ''[[The International Spectator]]''. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911094730/http://www.iai.it/pdf/articles/brownfeld.pdf|date=11 September 2008}}</ref> According to Russian sources, Aslan Maskhadov tried to concentrate power in his hands to establish authority, but had trouble creating an effective state or a functioning [[economy]]. Maskhadov requested $260 billion in war reparations from Russia to rebuild infrastructure destroyed in heavy Russian fighting, an amount equivalent to 60% of the Russian GDP.<ref name="habeasecon">{{cite news|title=Habeas corpus|url=http://www.economist.com/node/154670?zid=307&ah=5e80419d1bc9821ebe173f4f0f060a07|access-date=9 December 2017|newspaper=The Economist|date=21 August 1997|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209152217/http://www.economist.com/node/154670?zid=307&ah=5e80419d1bc9821ebe173f4f0f060a07|archive-date=9 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

The war ravages and lack of economic opportunities left numbers of armed former [[guerrilla]]s with no occupation. Machine guns and grenades were sold openly and legally in Grozny's central bazaar.<ref>{{cite news|title=War racketeers plague Chechnya|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4091635.stm|access-date=9 December 2017|work=BBC News|date=14 December 2004|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426001307/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4091635.stm|archive-date=26 April 2017}}</ref> The years of independence had some political violence as well. On 10 December 1998, Mansur Tagirov, Chechnya's top prosecutor, disappeared while returning to Grozny. On 21 June, the Chechen security chief and a guerrilla commander fatally shot each other in an argument. The internal violence in Chechnya peaked on 16 July 1998, when fighting broke out between Maskhadov's National Guard force led by [[Sulim Yamadayev]] (who joined pro-Moscow forces in the second war) and militants in the town of [[Gudermes]]; over 50 people were reported killed and the [[state of emergency]] was declared in Chechnya.<ref>[http://www.nupi.no/cgi-win/Russland/krono.exe?2487 "Further emergency measures in Chechnya"]. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930160142/http://www.nupi.no/cgi-win/Russland/krono.exe?2487 |date=30 September 2007 }}</ref>{{fcn|date=January 2023}}

Maskhadov proved unable to guarantee the security of the [[oil pipeline]] running across Chechnya from the [[Caspian Sea]], and illegal oil tapping and acts of [[sabotage]] deprived his regime of crucial revenues and agitated his allies in [[Moscow]]. In 1998 and 1999, Maskhadov survived several assassination attempts, which he blamed on foreign intelligence services.<ref name="bbcassassination">{{cite news|title=Chechen leader survives assassination attempt |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/137943.stm |access-date=9 December 2017 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=23 July 1998 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210074000/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/137943.stm |archive-date=10 December 2017}}</ref> Russian sources maintain that the attacks were likely to originate from within Chechnya, despite the Kremlin's difficult negotiations with Maskhadov and difference of opinion regarding the Chechen conflict.<ref name="bbcassassination"/>

In December 1998, the Supreme Islamic court of Chechnya suspended the Chechen Parliament, asserting that it did not conform to the standards of sharia.<ref>{{cite news|author=Agence France-Presse |title=A Chechen Islamic Ruling |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/12/25/world/a-chechen-islamic-ruling.html |access-date=9 December 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=25 December 1998 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527084326/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/12/25/world/a-chechen-islamic-ruling.html |archive-date=27 May 2015}}</ref> After [[Vakha Arsanov]], the [[Vice President of Ichkeria|Chechen Vice-President]], defected to the opposition, Maskhadov abolished his post, leading to a power struggle.<ref>{{cite news|title=Islamist vice-president defies Chechen leader |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/274288.stm |access-date=9 December 2017 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=7 February 1999 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114051326/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/274288.stm |archive-date=14 November 2012}}</ref> In February 1999 President Maskhadov removed legislative powers from the parliament and convened an Islamic State Council.<ref name="bbcpowerstruggle">{{cite news|title=Chechnya power struggle |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/276075.stm |access-date=9 December 2017 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=9 February 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210020342/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/276075.stm |archive-date=10 December 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the same time several prominent former warlords established the Mehk-Shura, a rival Islamic government.<ref name="bbcpowerstruggle"/> The Shura advocated the creation of an Islamic confederation in the North Caucasus, including the Chechen, Dagestani and Ingush peoples.<ref>{{cite news|title=Russia's violent southern rim |url=http://www.economist.com/node/193646?zid=307&ah=5e80419d1bc9821ebe173f4f0f060a07 |access-date=9 December 2017 |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |date=25 March 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210015532/http://www.economist.com/node/193646?zid=307&ah=5e80419d1bc9821ebe173f4f0f060a07 |archive-date=10 December 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Second war and insurgency period===
{{Main|Second Chechen War|Insurgency in the North Caucasus}}
On 9 August 1999, Islamist fighters from Chechnya infiltrated Russia's [[Dagestan]] region, declaring it an independent state and calling for a jihad until "all unbelievers had been driven out".<ref>{{cite news|title=Dagestan moves to state of holy war |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/dagestan-moves-to-state-of-holy-war-1112053.html |access-date=9 December 2017 |work=[[The Independent]] |date=11 August 1999 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210020058/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/dagestan-moves-to-state-of-holy-war-1112053.html |archive-date=10 December 2017}}</ref> This event prompted Russian intervention, and the beginning of the [[Second Chechen War]]. As more people escaped the war zones of Chechnya, President Maskhadov threatened to impose [[Hudud|Sharia punishment]] on all civil servants who moved their families out of the republic.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Uzelac|first1=Ana|title=In ruins of one war, Grozny prepares for the second |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/1999/oct/07/russia.chechnya |access-date=9 December 2017 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=7 October 1999 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508065727/http://www.theguardian.com/world/1999/oct/07/russia.chechnya |archive-date=8 May 2014}}</ref> This time, however, the Russian invasion met much less resistance as during the First Chechen War. The infighting among the rival factions within Chechnya as well as the rise of radical jihadists convinced several former separatist leaders and their militias to switch sides. Aided by these defectors, the Russians took the minor cities and countryside around Grozny in the period from October to December 1999, encircling Grozny.{{sfn|Galeotti|2014|pp=55–57}}

After a hard-fought [[Battle of Grozny (1999–2000)|battle]], Grozny fell in February 2000; much of the city was destroyed.{{sfn|Galeotti|2014|pp=57–60}} Some of the Ichkerian government subsequently moved into [[government in exile|exile]], including in [[Poland]] and the [[United Kingdom]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}} As on 23 January 2000, a diplomatic representation of Ichkeria was based in Kabul during the [[Taliban]] regime in [[Islamic State of Afghanistan|Afghanistan]].<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|title=Russia appoints Chechen leader |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/787811.stm |access-date=9 December 2017 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=12 June 2000 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305022005/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/787811.stm |archive-date=5 March 2016}}</ref> Other remnants of the government and the armed forces retreated into Chechnya's south which was dominated by mountains and not yet under Russian control. From these bases, they waged a guerrilla campaign, even as Russia cemented its control by establishing a loyal administration in the region.{{sfn|Galeotti|2014|pp=60–63}} In June 2000, Kremlin appointee, supreme [[mufti]] and head of the [[Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of the Chechen Republic]] [[Akhmad Kadyrov]] became the new controversial head of the official administration of Chechnya. Kadyrov, who has been criticised as the object of a cult of personality, was not democratically elected by either Russian or Chechen constituents.<ref name="bbc" /> The separatists continued to fight, but were gradually whittled down.{{sfn|Galeotti|2014|pp=63–65}}

On 31 October 2007, the separatist news agency [[Chechenpress]] reported that [[Dokka Umarov]] had announced the [[Caucasus Emirate]] and declared himself its [[Emir]].{{sfn|Galeotti|2014|p=79}} He integrated the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria as [[Vilayat Nokhchicho]].{{citation needed|date=June 2022}} This change of status was rejected by some Chechen politicians and military leaders who continue to support the existence of the republic. Since November 2007, [[Akhmed Zakayev]] was proclaimed to be the Prime Minister of Ichkeria's government-in-exile.<ref name="caucasuswatch">{{Cite web |title=Leader of unrecognised Ichkeria met with officials in Ukraine |url=https://caucasuswatch.de/news/5435.html |website=Caucasus Watch |date=30 May 2022 |access-date=18 October 2022 |archive-date=18 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018153633/https://caucasuswatch.de/news/5435.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the influence of Zakayev's government was described as "marginal" by political scientist [[Mark Galeotti]] who argued that the Caucasus Emirate proved more influential both among the militants as well as within the Chechen diaspora.{{sfn|Galeotti|2014|p=74}}

From 2007 until 2017, the remaining insurgency in the North Caucasus was mainly waged by Islamist factions, most importantly the Caucasus Emirate. In course of several years; however, the Caucasus Emirate gradually declined{{sfn|Galeotti|2014|p=79}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/insurgency-north-caucasus-terrorism-isis/26840778.html|work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|title=Why Is The Death Toll Tumbling In The North Caucasus?|date=10 February 2015|access-date=17 February 2015|archive-date=23 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423194324/http://www.rferl.org/content/insurgency-north-caucasus-terrorism-isis/26840778.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and had mostly ceased to exist by 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jamestown.org/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=44597&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=7&cHash=b1c5cc5471d4941280b025889df6c210#.VklVaHYrLIV|title=Islamic State Apparently Wins Its Competition With Caucasus Emirate|newspaper=Jamestown|date=2015-11-13|publisher=Jamestown Foundation|access-date=2015-11-16|archive-date=16 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116141144/http://www.jamestown.org/single/?tx_ttnews&#91;tt_news&#93;=44597&tx_ttnews&#91;backPid&#93;=7&cHash=b1c5cc5471d4941280b025889df6c210#.VklVaHYrLIV|url-status=live}}</ref> Other Chechen groups continued to operate in Ukraine where they fought against Russia in the [[War in Donbas (2014–2022)|war in Donbas]]. The early pro-Ukrainian [[Ukrainian volunteer battalions|Chechen volunteer units]] included the [[Dzhokhar Dudayev Battalion]] and [[Sheikh Mansur Battalion]].{{sfn|Galeotti|2019|p=55}}

====Russo-Ukrainian War====
{{see also|Chechen involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}
[[File:Obon chehen.png|thumb|right|Chevron of the [[Separate Special Purpose Battalion]], a unit organized and managed by the Chechen government in exile fighting alongside Ukraine in its defense against Russia]]
The [[Dzhokhar Dudayev Battalion]] fought on the side of [[Ukraine]] since its formation during the [[War in Donbas (2014–2022)|War in Donbas]] in 2014.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-08-30 |title=Chechens Now Fighting On Both Sides In Ukraine |language=en |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/caucasus-report-chechens-fighting-for-ukraine/26558104.html |access-date=2023-08-08 |archive-date=8 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230808013720/https://www.rferl.org/a/caucasus-report-chechens-fighting-for-ukraine/26558104.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2022, Russia launched a [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|full invasion of Ukraine]]. Anti-Kadyrov Chechens like the Dzhokhar Dudayev Battalion and Sheikh Mansur Battalion continued to fight in this conflict.<ref>{{cite web |date=2 March 2022 |title='My MMA Gym Will Be Empty': Chechens Head to Ukraine to Fight Kadyrov |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/chechnya-fighters-ukraine-russia-ramzan-kadyrov/ |author-last=Prothero |author-first=Mitchell |access-date=7 March 2022 |work=[[Vice Media]] |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302183210/https://www.vice.com/en/article/5dgjn8/chechnya-fighters-ukraine-russia-ramzan-kadyrov |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="theglobeandmail">{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-chechens-and-georgians-in-ukraine-preparing-to-continue-fight-against/|title=Chechens and Georgians in Ukraine preparing to continue fight against Putin on a new front|website=[[The Globe and Mail]]|date=13 February 2022|access-date=7 March 2022|last1=MacKinnon|first1=Mark|archive-date=7 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307145713/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-chechens-and-georgians-in-ukraine-preparing-to-continue-fight-against/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/03/jihadis-idlib-bash-chechen-leader-ramzan-kadyrov-role-ukraine-war|title=Jihadis in Idlib bash Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov for role in Ukraine war|work=[[Al-Monitor]]|date=6 March 2022|accessdate=27 March 2022|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306150635/https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/03/jihadis-idlib-bash-chechen-leader-ramzan-kadyrov-role-ukraine-war|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2022, Ichkeria's government-in-exile leader [[Akhmed Zakayev]] travelled to Kyiv and met with Ukrainian officials for "confidential" talks.<ref name="caucasuswatch" /> Later, the creation of the "[[Separate Special Purpose Battalion]] of the Chechen Republic's Armed Forces" was announced by Zakayev; this unit officially styled itself as the continuation of Armed Forces of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. A fourth separatist unit, called "Khamzat Gelayev Joint Task Detachment" (named after [[Ruslan Gelayev]]) was also founded. As the Russo-Ukrainian War continued to escalate, the pro-Ukrainian Chechen separatists increasingly framed the war as a chance to restore the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chechen Fighters in Ukraine Set Sights on Homeland |url=https://jamestown.org/program/chechen-fighters-in-ukraine-set-sights-on-homeland/ |newspaper=Jamestown |access-date=25 September 2022 |archive-date=13 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913141808/https://jamestown.org/program/chechen-fighters-in-ukraine-set-sights-on-homeland/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://uacrisis.org/en/ukraine-in-flames-162|title=Chechen batallions<!--sic--> in Ukraine: Common fight against Russia|publisher=Ukraine Сrisis Media Center|date=19 August 2022|archive-date=28 October 2022|access-date=18 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028071852/https://uacrisis.org/en/ukraine-in-flames-162|url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 15 2022, the [[Armed Forces of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria]] was officially resurrected in Ukraine by the Government of Ichkeria in exile. On 18 October 2022, [[Verkhovna Rada|Ukraine's parliament]] recognized the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria as a temporarily occupied state.<ref name="yahoo">{{Cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/ukraine-recognizes-chechen-republic-ichkeria-154900042.html|title=Ukraine recognizes the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria|website=news.yahoo.com|date=18 October 2022|access-date=18 October 2022|archive-date=19 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019154120/https://news.yahoo.com/ukraine-recognizes-chechen-republic-ichkeria-154900042.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="reuters">{{Cite web |title=Ukraine lawmakers brand Chechnya 'Russian-occupied' in dig at Kremlin |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-lawmakers-brand-chechnya-russian-occupied-dig-kremlin-2022-10-18/ |website=Reuters |date=18 October 2022 |access-date=18 October 2022 |archive-date=11 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211224426/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-lawmakers-brand-chechnya-russian-occupied-dig-kremlin-2022-10-18/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At this point, Islamist separatists belonging to [[Ajnad al-Kavkaz]] had also moved to Ukraine to fight Russia there.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/10/chechen-fighters-leave-syria-battle-russians-ukraine|title=Chechen fighters leave Syria to battle Russians in Ukraine|work=[[Al-Monitor]]|author=Sultan al-Kanj|date=22 October 2022|access-date=25 October 2022|archive-date=27 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327103829/https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/10/chechen-fighters-leave-syria-battle-russians-ukraine|url-status=live}}</ref> In November, the Ichkerian exile government recognized the [[Holodomor]] as a genocide against the Ukrainian people.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chechen-government.com/%D0%BF%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B7%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B8%D1%83%D0%BC%D0%B0-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8C-3/|language=ru|title=On the Recognition of the Holodomor|website=chechen-government.com|access-date=19 April 2023}}</ref>

== Military ==
{{Main|Armed Forces of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria}}
[[File:Cadets of the Ichkeria Chechen national guard 1999.jpg|thumb|Cadets of the Ichkeria Chechen National Guard in 1999]]
Dudayev spent the years from 1991 to 1994 preparing for war, mobilizing men aged 15–55 and seizing Russian weapons depots. The [[Chechen National Guard]] counted 10,000 troops in December 1994, rising to 40,000 soldiers by early 1996.<ref name="lutz97">{{cite web|author-last1=Lutz |author-first1=Raymond R. |title=Russian Strategy In Chechnya: a Case Study in Failure |url=http://www.dtic.mil/get-tr-doc/pdf?AD=ADA399031 |access-date=9 December 2017 |date=April 1997 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027183615/http://www.dtic.mil/get-tr-doc/pdf?AD=ADA399031 |archive-date=27 October 2016}}</ref>

Major weapons systems were seized from the Russian military in 1992, and on the eve of the First Chechen War, they included 23 air defense guns, 108 APC/tanks, 24 artillery pieces, 5 [[MiG-17]]/[[MiG-15|15]], 2 [[Mi-8]] helicopters, 24 multiple rocket launchers, 17 surface-to-air missile launchers, 94 [[L-29]] trainer aircraft, 52 [[Aero L-39 Albatros|L-39]] trainer aircraft, 6 [[An-22]] transport aircraft, 5 [[Tupolev Tu-134]] transport aircraft.<ref name="lutz97"/>

== Politics ==
{{Main articles|1997 Chechen presidential election}}
Since the [[Declaration of Sovereignty of the Chechen Republic| Declaration of Independence]] in 1991, there has been an ongoing battle between secessionist officials and federally appointed officials. Both claim authority over the same territory.

In late 2007, the [[President of Ichkeria]], [[Dokka Umarov]], declared that he had renamed the republic to [[Vilayat Nokhchicho|Noxçiyc̈ó]] and converted it into a province of the much larger [[Caucasus Emirate]], with himself as [[Emir]].{{citation needed|date=October 2023}} This change was rejected by some members of the former Chechen government-in-exile.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

The Chechen Republic of Ichkeria was officially a secular state, with its constitution stating, "The Chechen Republic is a secular state. No religion may be established as a state or compulsory religion."<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 January 2003 |title=Draft Constitution of the Chechen Republic |url=https://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL(2003)007-e |access-date=14 July 2022 |website=[[Council of Europe]] |archive-date=11 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211130305/https://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL(2003)007-e |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of the Chechen Republic]]—the Chechen [[muftiate]]—was a non-governmental organisation. Despite this, the criminal code of Chechnya legally established [[Sharia]] courts and included Islamic [[hudud]] punishments of decapitation, stoning and other punishments for crimes such as alcohol drinking, sodomy, and apostasy from Islam.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RUSSIA / CHECHNYA |url=https://www.hrw.org/legacy/reports/1997/russia2/Russia-07.htm |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=www.hrw.org}}</ref>

===Government in exile===
[[File:Akhmed Zakaev. Inna Kurochkina. Brussel 26.02.2022.png|thumb|right|Zakayev and members of his government in exile in [[Brussels]] in 2022]]
After being injured in a car accident in 2000, the Chechen deputy prime minister and foreign minister [[Akhmed Zakayev]] had been in the United Kingdom for medical treatment, remaining there as the Second Chechen war turned into an insurgency and denouncing the efforts of Umarov to Islamify Chechen politics and resigning from his government in 2007 before going on to found the Chechen government in exile on 25 November 2007.<ref>[http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/11/3b1b6b92-be6a-4358-afdb-faafd3dd64a4.html Foreign Minister Of Chechen Separatist Government Resigns] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211214410/http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/11/3b1b6b92-be6a-4358-afdb-faafd3dd64a4.html |date=11 December 2007 }}, [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|RFE/RL]], 20 November 2007</ref><ref>[http://www.chechenpress.co.uk/english/news/2007/10/31/05.shtml Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728061523/http://www.chechenpress.co.uk/english/news/2007/10/31/05.shtml |date=28 July 2011 }}, [[Chechenpress]], 31 October 2007</ref> Since the creation of this government Zakayev has served as its Prime Minister.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leader of unrecognised Ichkeria met with officials in Ukraine |url=https://caucasuswatch.de/news/5435.html |website=Caucasus Watch |date=30 May 2022 |access-date=18 October 2022}}</ref>

In his role as self-proclaimed prime minister in exile, Zakayev has extensively lobbied European governments from his headquarters in London to pursue more stringent sanctions on Russia, and for support for the Chechen cause. However, Zakayev's actions proclaiming himself as the prime minister are in violation of the Constitution of Chechnya, as there was no parliamentary session nor vote held to transfer power from Dokka Umarov to Zakayev, and with the dissolution of the Chechen parliament it is impossible for such a vote to take place. As such, Zakayev has continued to struggle to unify the Chechen diaspora around him as a dissident group of Chechen exiles led by [[Dzhambulat Suleymanov]] compete for legitimacy. The divide in the two groups is that Suleymanov's faction wishes to institute [[Sharia law]] should they take power in Chechnya, while Zakayev and his government in exile are stringent secularists, all while Umarov's supporters seeking a restoration of the Emirate are still a powerful voice in the diaspora with hundreds, if not thousands, coming to Ukraine to join various Chechen militant groups after fighting alongside Islamist rebels in [[Syria]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hussein |first1=Tam |title=A Chechen Separatist Aims to Unseat Putin’s Man |url=https://newlinesmag.com/reportage/a-chechen-separatist-aims-to-unseat-putins-man/ |website=[[New Lines Magazine]] |access-date=18 January 2025}}</ref>

===Foreign relations===
Ichkeria was a member of the [[Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization]]. Former president of [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Zviad Gamsakhurdia]], deposed in a military coup of 1991 and a leading participant in the [[Georgian Civil War]], recognized the independence of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria in 1993.<ref name="test">{{cite web|url=http://pirweli.com.ge/eng/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3399&Itemid=45 |title=in 1993, ex-President of Georgia Zviad Gamsakhurdia recognized Chechnya's independence.. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821134007/http://pirweli.com.ge/eng/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3399&Itemid=45 |archive-date=21 August 2013}}</ref>

Diplomatic relations with Ichkeria were also established by the partially recognized [[Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996–2001)|Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan]] under the [[Taliban]] government on 16 January 2000. This recognition ceased with the [[United States invasion of Afghanistan|fall of the Taliban]] in December 2001.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cdi.org/russia/johnson/5597-11.cfm |title=Are Chechens in Afghanistan? |author-first=Nabi |author-last=Abdullaev |date=14 December 2001 |work=[[The Moscow Times]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090807172345/http://www.cdi.org/russia/johnson/5597-11.cfm |archive-date=7 August 2009 }}</ref> However, despite Taliban recognition, there were no friendly relations between the Taliban and Ichkeria—Maskhadov rejected their recognition, stating that the Taliban were illegitimate.<ref name="Kullberg">Kullberg, Anssi. "The Background of Chechen Independence Movement III: The Secular Movement". ''The Eurasian politician''. 1 October 2003</ref> In June 2000, the Russian government claimed that Maskhadov had met with [[Osama bin Laden]], and that the Taliban supported the Chechens with arms and troops.<ref>{{cite news|title=What Moscow wants from 'summit' |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/2000/0602/p11s1.html |access-date=9 December 2017 |work=[[Christian Science Monitor]] |date=2 June 2000 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004034708/http://www.csmonitor.com/2000/0602/p11s1.html |archive-date=4 October 2015}}</ref> In the aftermath of the [[September 11 attacks]], the [[Presidency of George W. Bush|Bush administration]] called on Maskhadov to cut all links with the Taliban.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chechens in talks as deadline passes |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1567091.stm |access-date=9 December 2017 |date=27 September 2001 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801122209/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1567091.stm |archive-date=1 August 2016 |work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> After the [[2021 Taliban offensive]] and the [[Fall of Kabul (2021)]] the [[Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan]] was restored. It is unknown if the [[Taliban]] still recognizes the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.

Ichkeria also received limited support from certain political factions in Poland, the Baltic countries and Ukrainian nationalists. [[Estonia]] once voted to recognize, but the act never was consummated due to pressure from both Russia and pro-Russian elements within the European Union.<ref name="Kullberg" /><ref>Kari Takamaa and Martti Koskenneimi. ''The Finnish Yearbook of International Law''. p147</ref><ref name="Kuzio">Kuzio, Taras. "The Chechen crisis and the 'near abroad'". ''Central Asian Survey'', Volume 14, Issue 4 1995, pages 553–572</ref> Dudayev also had contacts with Islamist movements and guerrillas in the [[United Arab Emirates]], Afghanistan and [[Saudi Arabia]].<ref>{{cite news|author-last1=Boudreaux |author-first1=Richard |title=Faith Fuels Chechen Fighters |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-02-09-mn-30041-story.html|access-date=9 December 2017 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=9 February 1995 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210233025/http://articles.latimes.com/1995-02-09/news/mn-30041_1_chechen-fighters/3 |archive-date=10 December 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

During the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]], the [[Verkhovna Rada]] passed a resolution in October recognizing the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria as "temporarily occupied" by Russia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukraine recognizes the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria |url=https://english.nv.ua/nation/ukraine-recognizes-chechen-republic-of-ichkeria-ukraine-news-50277623.html |website=english.nv.ua |access-date=13 January 2023 |archive-date=2 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102002911/https://english.nv.ua/nation/ukraine-recognizes-chechen-republic-of-ichkeria-ukraine-news-50277623.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-18 |title=Ukraine's parliament recognizes Chechen Republic of Ichkeria as temporarily occupied by Russia |url=https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/ukraines-parliament-recognizes-chechen-republic-of-ichkeria-as-temporarily-occupied-by-russia |website=The Kyiv Independent}}</ref>

==Human rights==
===First Chechen War===
The human rights situation in Chechnya during the hostility phases had long been a concern among several human rights organizations such as [[Human Rights Watch]], who, after several years of investigation and gathering evidence, referred to the situation as disturbing.<ref name="warcrimesresponseofwest">{{cite web |title=War crimes in Chechnya and the response of the West |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2000/02/29/war-crimes-chechnya-and-response-west |website=Human Rights Watch |date=29 February 2000 |access-date=14 May 2022 |archive-date=2 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102073333/https://www.hrw.org/news/2000/02/29/war-crimes-chechnya-and-response-west |url-status=live }}</ref> Throughout the span of the first Chechen war, Russian forces have been accused by [[Human Rights]] organizations of starting a brutal war with total disregard for [[humanitarian law]], causing tens of thousands of unnecessary civilian casualties among the Chechen population. The main strategy in the Russian war effort had been to use heavy artillery and air strikes leading to numerous [[indiscriminate attack]]s on civilians. This has led to Western and Chechen sources calling the Russian strategy deliberate [[terror bombing]] on parts of Russia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/jel/research_pubs/chechna.pdf |title=Russia's invasion of Chechnya: a preliminary assessment |last=Blank |first=Stephen J. |website=dtic.mil |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308081654/http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/jel/research_pubs/chechna.pdf |archive-date=8 March 2008}}</ref> According to Human Rights Watch, the campaign was "unparalleled in the area since World War II for its scope and destructiveness, followed by months of indiscriminate and targeted fire against civilians". Russian forces attacked civilians many times throughout the war.<ref name="hrwdevelopment">{{cite web |title=Human Rights Developments |url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/1996/WR96/Helsinki-16.htm |website=Human Rights Watch |access-date=14 May 2022 |archive-date=25 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525150038/http://www.hrw.org/reports/1996/WR96/Helsinki-16.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> One of the most notable war crimes committed by the Russian army during the [[First Chechen War]] is the [[Samashki massacre]], in which it is estimated that up to 300 civilians died during the attack.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mothers' March to Grozny |url=https://wri-irg.org/en/story/1995/mothers-march-grozny |website=War Resisters' International |access-date=14 May 2022 |date=1 June 1995}}</ref> Russian forces conducted an operation of [[zachistka]], house-by-house searches throughout the entire village. Federal soldiers deliberately and arbitrarily attacked civilians and civilian dwellings in Samashki by shooting residents and burning houses with [[Flamethrower|flame-throwers]]. They wantonly opened fire or threw [[grenade]]s into basements where residents, mostly women, elderly persons, and children, had been hiding.<ref>[http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/commission/country52/1996_13.htm The situation of human rights in the Republic of Chechnya of the Russian Federation – Report of the Secretary-General] UNCHR {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211102551/http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/commission/country52/1996_13.htm |date=11 February 2012 }}</ref> Russian troops intentionally burned many bodies, either by throwing the bodies into burning houses or by setting them on fire.<ref>[http://www.jamestown.org/publications_details.php?volume_id=14&issue_id=564&article_id=4076 DETAILS OF SAMASHKI MASSACRE EMERGE.], [[The Jamestown Foundation]], 5 May 1995 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070625152714/http://www.jamestown.org/publications_details.php?volume_id=14&issue_id=564&article_id=4076 |date=25 June 2007 }}</ref> A Chechen surgeon, [[Khassan Baiev]], treated wounded in Samashki immediately after the operation and described the scene in his book:<ref name="Baiev">{{cite book| last = Baiev| first = Khassan| title = The Oath A Surgeon Under Fire| year = 2003| publisher = Bloomsbury Publishing USA| isbn = 0-8027-1404-8| pages = [https://archive.org/details/oathsurgeonunder00baie/page/130 130–131]| url-access = registration| url = https://archive.org/details/oathsurgeonunder00baie/page/130}}</ref>

<blockquote>
Dozens of charred corpses of women and children lay in the courtyard of the mosque, which had been destroyed. The first thing my eye fell on was the burned body of a baby, lying in the fetal position... A wild-eyed woman emerged from a burned-out house holding a dead baby. Trucks with bodies piled in the back rolled through the streets on the way to the cemetery.
<br>
While treating the wounded, I heard stories of young men – gagged and trussed up – dragged with chains behind personnel carriers. I heard of Russian aviators who threw Chechen prisoners, screaming, out of their helicopters. There were rapes, but it was hard to know how many because women were too ashamed to report them. One girl was raped in front of her father. I heard of one case in which the [[mercenary]] grabbed a newborn baby, threw it among each other like a ball, then shot it dead in the air.
<br>
Leaving the village for the hospital in Grozny, I passed a Russian armored personnel carrier with the word SAMASHKI written on its side in bold, black letters. I looked in my rearview mirror and to my horror saw a human skull mounted on the front of the vehicle. The bones were white; someone must have boiled the skull to remove the flesh.
</blockquote>

Chechen forces have admitted to the execution of captured Russian pilots throughout the First Chechen War, and of at least eight Russian detainees. In probably the most notorious violation of humanitarian law committed by Chechen Forces, a Chechen unit led by [[Shamil Basayev]] captured a [[Budyonnovsk hospital hostage crisis|hospital]] and held it as hostage in the Russian city of Budyonnovsk. At least seven hostages were killed by the captors, and the rest were denied water, food, and medicine.<ref name="hrwdevelopment" /> According to official figures, 129 civilians were killed during the siege,<ref name=history>[http://www.gazeta.ru/2002/10/24/HistoryofChe.shtml History of Chechen rebels' hostage taking] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911035328/http://www.gazeta.ru/2002/10/24/HistoryofChe.shtml |date=11 September 2016 }} [[Gazeta.Ru]], 24 October 2002</ref> most by the numerous attempts of the Russian army to retake the hospital. The [[United Nations Commission on Human Rights]] had this to report on the incident:
<blockquote>Although the conduct of Chechen fighters has scarcely been documented in non-governmental reports, information indicates that they indiscriminately fired on, and killed, civilians. For example, on 14 June 1995, Chechen commandos took some 2,000 people hostage in the town of Budennovsk in the Stavropol region and barricaded themselves in the town's hospital. The hostage-takers were allegedly shot to death in the hospital by four civilian men. In this incident, over 100 hostages were reportedly killed when Federal forces attempted to take over the hospital.</blockquote>

=== Interwar period ===
[[Kidnapping]]s, robberies, and killings of fellow Chechens and outsiders weakened the possibilities of outside investment and Maskhadov's efforts to gain international recognition of its independence effort. Kidnappings became common in Chechnya, procuring over $200 million during the three-year independence of the chaotic fledgling state,<ref>Tishkov, Valery. ''Chechnya: Life in a War-Torn Society.'' Berkeley: University of California Press, 2004. Page 114.</ref> but victims were rarely killed.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/europe/9812/08/chechnya.01/ Four Western hostages beheaded in Chechnya] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021203141902/http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/europe/9812/08/chechnya.01/ |date=3 December 2002 }}</ref> In a ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' interview with a Russian woman, she states that kidnappers would at times mutilate their captives and send video recordings to their families, to encourage the payment of ransoms. According to her, there was a slave market in Minutka Square, downtown [[Grozny]].<ref name="grimmestlatimes">{{cite news|author-last1=Dixon |author-first1=Robyn |author-link=Robyn Dixon (journalist) |date=18 September 2000 |title=Chechnya's Grimmest Industry |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |location=Nalchik |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-sep-18-mn-23005-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=9 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320003317/http://articles.latimes.com/2000/sep/18/news/mn-23005 |archive-date=20 March 2017}}</ref> Some of the kidnapped were supposedly sold into indentured servitude to Chechen families. They were openly called slaves and had to endure starvation, beating, and often maiming according to Russian sources.<ref name="aron">Leon Aron. [http://www.aei.org/publications/pubID.15848/pub_detail.asp Chechnya, New Dimensions of the Old Crisis] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080312184427/http://www.aei.org/publications/pubID.15848/pub_detail.asp |date=12 March 2008 }} . [[American Enterprise Institute|AEI]], 1 February 2003</ref><ref>[[RFERL]], [http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2005/07/c7fd0ff2-647f-42ea-827b-42812c1e8a0a.html Russia: RFE/RL Interviews Chechen Field Commander Umarov] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314071300/http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2005/07/c7fd0ff2-647f-42ea-827b-42812c1e8a0a.html |date=14 March 2008 }}, 27 July 2005; [[Doku Umarov]] who was the head of the Security Council of Ichkeria in 1997–1999 accused [[Movladi Baisarov]] and one of [[Yamadayev]] brothers of engaging in slave trade in the inter-war period</ref> In 1998, 176 people had been kidnapped, and 90 of them had been released during the same year according to official accounts. There were several [[public execution]]s of criminals.<ref>[http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGEUR460251997?open&of=ENG-373 Document Information | Amnesty International<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041121235259/http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGEUR460251997?open&of=ENG-373 |date=21 November 2004 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/news/press-releases/1997/sep/2089/|title=Latest News – MFA of Latvia|access-date=6 February 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112075238/http://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/news/press-releases/1997/sep/2089|archive-date=12 January 2015}}</ref>

After the First Chechen War, the country won ''de facto'' independence from Russia, and Islamic courts were established.<ref name="shariaind" /> In September 1996, a Sharia-based criminal code was adopted, which included provisions for banning alcohol and punishing adultery with death by [[stoning]].<ref name="lawandordervote">{{cite news|author-last1=Stanley |author-first1=Alessandra |title=Islam Gets the Law and Order Vote |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/26/weekinreview/islam-gets-the-law-and-order-vote.html |access-date=9 December 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=1997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706093746/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/26/weekinreview/islam-gets-the-law-and-order-vote.html |archive-date=6 July 2017}}</ref> Sharia was supposed to apply to Muslims only, but in fact, it was also applied to ethnic Russians who violated Sharia provisions.<ref name="lawandordervote" /> In one of the first rulings under Sharia law, in January 1997 an Islamic court ordered the payment of [[Blood money (restitution)|blood money]] to the family of a man who was killed in a traffic accident.<ref name="shariaind">{{cite news|title=Chechen court applies Islamic law |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/chechen-court-applies-islamic-law-1281404.html |access-date=9 December 2017 |work=[[The Independent]] |date=3 January 1997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209171851/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/chechen-court-applies-islamic-law-1281404.html |archive-date=9 December 2017}}</ref> In November 1997, the [[Islamic dress code]] was imposed on all female students and civil servants in the country.<ref>{{cite news|title=Islamic dress code for Chechnya |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/despatches/europe/30017.stm |access-date=9 December 2017 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=12 November 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210020442/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/despatches/europe/30017.stm |archive-date=10 December 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> In December 1997, the Supreme Sharia Court banned [[New year celebrations|New Year celebrations]], considering them "an act of apostasy and falsity".<ref>{{cite news|title=Chechen Islamic court bans all New Year celebrations |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/monitoring/38938.stm |access-date=9 December 2017 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=11 December 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210072509/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/monitoring/38938.stm |archive-date=10 December 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Conceding to an armed and vocal minority movement in the opposition led by [[Movladi Udugov]], in February 1999, Maskhadov declared The Islamic Republic of Ichkeria, and the [[Sharia]] system of justice was introduced. Maskhadov hoped that this would discredit the opposition, putting stability before his own ideological affinities. However, according to former Foreign Minister [[Ilyas Akhmadov]], the public primarily supported Maskhadov, his Independence Party, and their secularism. This was exemplified by the much greater numbers in political rallies supporting the government than those supporting the Islamist opposition.<ref>Akhmadov, Ilyas. ''The Chechen Struggle: Independence Won and Lost''. Page 144. "The size of the rallies indicated that the public was behind Maskhadov and the secular state... and, in autumn, that they [the opposition] could not summon public support either on the street or in the parliament."</ref> Akhmadov notes that the parliament, which was dominated by Maskhadov's own Independence Party, issued a public statement that President Maskhadov did not have the constitutional authority to proclaim sharia law, and also condemning the opposition for "undermining the foundations of the state".<ref>Akhmadov, Ilyas. ''The Chechen Struggle: Independence Won and Lost''. Page 143.</ref>

In 1998, [[1998 abduction of foreign engineers in Chechnya|four western engineers working for Granger Telecom were abducted]] and beheaded after a failed rescue attempt.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hostages 'beheaded at roadside' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/230994.stm |work=[[BBC News]] |date=9 December 1998 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150301183100/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/230994.stm |archive-date=1 March 2015}}</ref> [[Gennady Shpigun]], the Interior Ministry liaison to Chechen officials, was kidnapped in March 1999 as he was leaving Grozny Airport; his remains were found in Chechnya in March 2000.<ref>{{cite news|author-last1=Wines |author-first1=Michael |title=Russia Says Remains Are Those Of Envoy Abducted in Chechnya |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/15/world/russia-says-remains-are-those-of-envoy-abducted-in-chechnya.html |access-date=9 December 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=15 June 2000 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527140438/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/15/world/russia-says-remains-are-those-of-envoy-abducted-in-chechnya.html |archive-date=27 May 2015}}</ref> President Maskhadov started a major campaign against hostage-takers, and on 25 October 1998, Shadid Bargishev, Chechnya's top anti-kidnapping official, was killed in a remote controlled car bombing. Bargishev's colleagues then insisted they would not be intimidated by the attack and would go ahead with their offensive. Other anti-kidnapping officials blamed the attack on Bargishev's recent success in securing the release of several hostages, including 24 Russian soldiers and an English couple.<ref>[http://www.pub.umich.edu/daily/1998/oct/10-26-98/news/news8.html The Michigan Daily Online<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630181656/http://www.pub.umich.edu/daily/1998/oct/10-26-98/news/news8.html |date=30 June 2007 }}</ref> Maskhadov blamed the rash of abductions in Chechnya on unidentified "outside forces" and their Chechen henchmen, allegedly those who joined Pro-Moscow forces during the second war.<ref>[http://www.gfbv.de/pressemit.php?id=688&PHPSESSID=460043a9ad74cade2aa4777e6c4c5248 Police tried to silence GfbV – Critical banner against Putin's Chechnya policies wars<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112062315/http://www.gfbv.de/pressemit.php?id=688&PHPSESSID=460043a9ad74cade2aa4777e6c4c5248 |date=12 November 2014 }}</ref>

According to the Chechen government at least part of the kidnappings were orchestrated by the [[Federal Security Service]], which was behind the kidnappings and financed them.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chechnya's hard path to statehood |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/460399.stm |access-date=9 December 2017 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=1 October 1999 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405164854/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/460399.stm |archive-date=5 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=J. Littell – The Security Organs of the Russian Federation. A Brief History 1991–2005 |url=https://psan.hypotheses.org/psan-publishing-house/j-littell-the-security-organs-of-the-russian-federation-a-brief-history-1991-2005-full-text-without-graphs |access-date=7 July 2020 |website=Post-Soviet Armies Newsletter |language=en-US |archive-date=8 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708025049/https://psan.hypotheses.org/psan-publishing-house/j-littell-the-security-organs-of-the-russian-federation-a-brief-history-1991-2005-full-text-without-graphs |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Second Chechen War===
The [[Second Chechen War]] saw a new wave of [[war crime]]s and violation of [[International humanitarian law]]. Both sides have been criticised by international organizations of violating the [[Geneva Conventions]]. Russian forces have since the beginning of the conflict indiscriminately and disproportionately bombed and shelled civilian objects, resulting in heavy civilian casualties. In October 1999, powerful ballistic missiles were fired on the [[Grozny ballistic missile attack|Grozny central market]], resulting in hundreds of casualties.<ref>[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-nov-07-mn-31029-story.html Chechens Believe Russia's Aim Is to Obliterate Nation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113191024/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-nov-07-mn-31029-story.html |date=13 January 2024 }}, ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', 7 November 1999</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Russian rockets hit Grozny market |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/1999/oct/22/chechnya.ameliagentleman |website=The Guardian |date=22 October 1999 |access-date=15 May 2022 |archive-date=15 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515164432/https://www.theguardian.com/world/1999/oct/22/chechnya.ameliagentleman |url-status=live }}</ref> Russian forces have throughout the campaign ignored to follow their Geneva convention obligations, and has taken little responsibility of protecting the civilian population.<ref name="warcrimesresponseofwest" /> Russian media reports state that Russian soldiers were sometimes sold into slavery by their commanders.<ref>{{cite web |title=Russian soldiers being sold into slave labour – report |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/russian-soldiers-being-sold-into-slave-labour-report-1.190939 |website=CBC |access-date=15 May 2022 |archive-date=17 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517230844/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/russian-soldiers-being-sold-into-slave-labour-report-1.190939 |url-status=live }}</ref> According to [[Amnesty International]], Chechen civilians have been purposely targeted by Russian forces, in apparent disregard of humanitarian law. The situation has been described by Amnesty International as a Russian campaign to punish an entire [[ethnic group]], on the pretext of "fighting crime and terrorism".<ref>{{cite web |title=Reported grave breaches of international humanitarian law. |website=Amnesty International |url=http://www.amnesty.org/ailib/intcam/chechnya/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010619210713/http://www.amnesty.org/ailib/intcam/chechnya/|archive-date=19 June 2001 }}</ref> In one such occasion, [[Thermobaric weapon]]s were fired on the village of [[Katyr-Yurt]], in what is known as the [[bombing of Katyr-Yurt]]. Hundreds of civilians died as a result of the Russian bombardment and the following sweep after.<ref>{{cite web |title=Revealed: Russia's worst war crime in Chechnya |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/mar/05/russia.chechnya |website=The Guardian |date=5 March 2000 |access-date=15 May 2022 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210184132/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/mar/05/russia.chechnya |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Eyewitness: Chechnya's war goes on |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/673114.stm |website=BBC News |access-date=15 May 2022 |archive-date=7 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007001636/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/673114.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Thermobaric weapons have been used by the Russian army on several occasions according to [[Human Rights Watch]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Chechnya Conflict: Use of Vacuum Bombs by Russian Forces |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2000/02/01/chechnya-conflict-use-vacuum-bombs-russian-forces |website=Human Rights Watch |date=February 2000 |access-date=15 May 2022 |archive-date=1 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301040606/https://www.hrw.org/news/2000/02/01/chechnya-conflict-use-vacuum-bombs-russian-forces |url-status=live }}</ref> In what is regarded as one of gravest [[war crime]]s in the war, Russian federal forces went on a village-sweep ([[zachistka]]), summarily executing dozens of people and committing crimes in what is known as the [[Novye Aldi massacre]].<ref>{{cite web |title=February 5: A Day of Slaughter in Novye Aldi |url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/2000/russia_chechnya3/chech-summary.htm |website=Human Rights Watch |access-date=15 May 2022 |archive-date=11 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611023400/https://www.hrw.org/reports/2000/russia_chechnya3/chech-summary.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="court">[http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/07/26/news/russia.php European court assails Russia over killings in Chechnya] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070906215807/http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/07/26/news/russia.php |date=6 September 2007 }}, ''[[International Herald Tribune]]'', 26 July 2007</ref>

During the Second Chechen War, Chechen and Chechen-led militants have on several occasions used terrorism against civilian targets. In one such occasion, three [[Suicide Bomber|suicide bombers]] ran a truck filled with explosives into the Grozny governmental headquarters, resulting in at least 35 deaths.<ref>{{cite web |title=Truck bombs kill at least 35 in Grozny |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/dec/27/chechnya |website=The Guardian |date=27 December 2002 |access-date=15 May 2022}}</ref> Chechen fighters have shown little regard for the safety of the civilian population, often placing their military positions in densely populated areas and refusing to leave civilian areas. Two large-scale hostage-takings have been documented, the [[Moscow theater hostage crisis]] and [[Beslan school siege]], resulting in the deaths of multiple civilians. In the Moscow stand-off, FSB [[Spetsnaz]] forces stormed the building on the third day using an [[Moscow hostage crisis chemical agent|unknown incapacitating chemical agent]] that proved to be lethal without sufficient medical care, resulting in the deaths of 133 out of 916 hostages. In Beslan, some 20 hostages had been executed by their captors before the assault, and the ill-prepared assault itself resulted in 294 more casualties. A report by Human Rights Watch states that without minimizing the abuses committed by Chechen fighters, the main reason for civilian suffering in the Second Chechen War came as a result of the abuses committed by the Russian forces on the civilian population.<ref name="warcrimesresponseofwest" />

===Minorities===
{{See also|Anti-Russian violence in Chechnya}}
Ethnic Russians made up 29% of the Chechen population before the war,<ref>{{cite news|author-last1=Bristol |author-first1=Lela |author-last2=Gutterman |author-first2=Steve |title=Soviet Union: Mother Russia |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-11-22-mn-233-story.html |access-date=9 December 2017 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=22 November 1991 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017094832/http://articles.latimes.com/1991-11-22/news/mn-233_1_russian-federation |archive-date=17 October 2015}}</ref> and they generally opposed independence.<ref name="bohlen91" /> Due to the mounting [[anti-Russian sentiment]] following the declaration of independence and the fear of an upcoming war, by 1994 over 200,000 ethnic Russians decided to leave the independence-striving republic.<ref>{{cite news|author-last1=Goldberg |author-first1=Carey |author-last2=Efron |author-first2=Sonni |title=Russia Bombs Chechen Oil Plant; Dudayev Seeks Talks|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-12-30-mn-14636-story.html |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=30 December 1994 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210073959/http://articles.latimes.com/1994-12-30/news/mn-14636_1_russian-bombing/2 |archive-date=10 December 2017 |quote=200,000 ethnic Russians have also fled Chechnya in the three years since it declared a unilateral independence [...] These people, propelled from their homes by growing anti-Russian sentiment, will probably never go back and will require resettlement}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author-last1=Smith |author-first1=Sebastian |title=Little Hope in Poll for Ethnic Russians |url=http://old.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/tmt/313054.html |access-date=28 April 2018 |work=[[The Moscow Times]] |date=23 January 1997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210074000/http://old.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/tmt/313054.html |archive-date=10 December 2017}}</ref> Ethnic Russians left behind faced constant harassment and violence.<ref name="allahsmountains">{{cite book|author-last1=Smith |author-first1=Sebastian |title=Allah's Mountains: The Battle for Chechnya, New Edition |date=2006 |publisher=Tauris Parke Paperbacks |isbn=9781850439790 |pages=133–134 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NPkH-7BCB6AC&pg=PA133 |language=en}}</ref> The separatist government acknowledged the violence but did nothing to address it, blaming it on Russian provocateurs.<ref name="allahsmountains" /> Russians became a soft target for criminals, as they knew the Chechen police would not intervene in their defence.<ref name="allahsmountains" /> The start of the First Chechen War in 1994 and the [[Battle of Grozny (1994–95)|first bombing of Grozny]] created a second wave of ethnic Russian refugees. By the end of the conflict in 1996, the Russian community had nearly vanished.<ref name="allahsmountains" />

== International recognition ==
No states currently recognize the independence of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.

=== Former recognition ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" align=center
! !! [[Member states of the United Nations|State]]!! [[Diplomatic recognition|Date of recognition]]!! [[Diplomacy|Diplomatic relations]] established !! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1 || {{flagicon image|Flag of Georgia (1990–2004).svg}} [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] || 13 March 1992<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rustavi2.ge/ka/news/240439|title=უკრაინის უმაღლესმა რადამ იჩქერიის სუვერენიტეტი აღიარა|access-date=19 October 2022|work=Rustavi 2|archive-date=19 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019102631/https://rustavi2.ge/ka/news/240439|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://foto.forumkavkaz.com/upload/d0c382ff4f556b4339936b60ba8b59cd.jpg
|title=Digital Copy of the Recognition Document |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313124632/http://foto.forumkavkaz.com/upload/d0c382ff4f556b4339936b60ba8b59cd.jpg |access-date=19 October 2022|url-status=usurped
|archive-date=13 March 2016 }}</ref> || 1992 ||
On March 13, 1992, Zviad Gamsakhurdia's government in exile, which was deposed during the [[1991–1992 Georgian coup d'état]], recognized the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria and established diplomatic relations. Gamsakhurdia's government was briefly reestablished in Georgia from 2 September 1993 to 6 November 1993 during the [[Georgian Civil War]]. It exercised control over large parts of western Georgia.
|-
| 2 || {{flagicon|Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan}} [[Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996–2001)|Afghanistan]]|| 16 January 2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1276&context=auilr|title=Current Development: Afghanistan Recognizes Chechnya|access-date=6 September 2023|archive-date=1 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001122445/https://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1276&context=auilr|url-status=live}}</ref> ||2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/regional-relations/chechens-in-afghanistan-3-flash-from-the-past-diplomats-yes-but-fighters/|title=Chechens in Afghanistan 3 (Flash from the Past): Diplomats, yes, but fighters?|access-date=6 September 2023|work=afghanistan analysts Network|date=12 July 2016|archive-date=6 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906143929/https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/regional-relations/chechens-in-afghanistan-3-flash-from-the-past-diplomats-yes-but-fighters/|url-status=live}}</ref>|| On 16 January 2000, the [[Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan]], which was itself broadly unrecognized as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, recognized the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria as independent. In 2000 the Chechens set up an embassy in [[Kabul]], however relations became tense, [[Maskhadov]] soon stated that the Taliban were illegitimate and rejected their recognition, the recognition ended after the [[United States invasion of Afghanistan]]. However, after the [[2021 Taliban offensive]] the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan was restored, it is unknown if the [[Taliban]] still recognizes the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.
|}

=== Other notes ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" align=center
! !! [[Member states of the United Nations|State]] !! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1 || {{flag|Ukraine}} || On October 18, 2022, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine recognized the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria as "temporarily occupied" by [[Russia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itd.rada.gov.ua/billInfo/Bills/Card/40676|title=Проект Постанови про Заяву Верховної Ради України про визнання Чеченської Республіки Ічкерія тимчасово окупованою російською федерацією і засудження вчинення геноциду чеченського народу|access-date=18 October 2022|work=Official website of the Verkhovna Rada|archive-date=18 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018102858/https://itd.rada.gov.ua/billInfo/Bills/Card/40676|url-status=live}}</ref>  President [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]], who has the authority to extend full diplomatic recognition to other states, has stated that he is considering it.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zelensky instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to consider the possibility of recognizing the independence of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria |url=https://babel.ua/en/news/86570-zelensky-instructed-the-ministry-of-foreign-affairs-to-consider-the-possibility-of-recognizing-the-independence-of-the-chechen-republic-of-ichkeria |website=babel.ua |date=3 November 2022 |access-date=6 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Zelensky Orders Study On Extending Diplomatic Recognition To Chechnya-Ichkeria – OpEd |url=https://www.eurasiareview.com/06112022-zelensky-orders-study-on-extending-diplomatic-recognition-to-chechnya-ichkeria/ |website=eurasiareview.com |date=6 November 2022 |access-date=6 November 2022}}</ref>

{{Further|Ukrainian recognition of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria}}

|}

== See also ==
*[[Russia–Chechnya Peace Treaty]]
*[[Ukrainian recognition of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria]]
*[[History of Chechnya]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

===Works cited===
* {{cite book| last = Galeotti| first = Mark| title = Armies of Russia's War in Ukraine| publisher = Osprey Publishing | date = 2019| location = Oxford| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=3B6QDwAAQBAJ| isbn = 9781472833440}}
* {{cite book| last = Galeotti| first = Mark| title = Russia's Wars in Chechnya 1994-2009| publisher = Osprey Publishing | date = 2014| location = Oxford| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=iarvCwAAQBAJ| isbn = 9781782002772}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20000621202618/http://www.chechengovernment.com/ Official website of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria], archived June 2000

{{Ethnic nationalism}}
{{Stateless nationalism in Europe}}
{{Stateless nationalism in Asia}}
{{Leaders of Chechnya}}
{{Chechen wars}}
{{Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict}}
{{UNPO}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ichkeria, Chechen Republic of}}
[[Category:Chechen Republic of Ichkeria| ]]
[[Category:Chechen nationalism]]
[[Category:History of Chechnya]]
[[Category:Post-Soviet states]]
[[Category:Separatism in Russia]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1991]]
[[Category:States and territories disestablished in 2000]]
[[Category:1991 establishments in Russia]]
[[Category:2000 disestablishments in Russia]]
[[Category:Former countries in Europe]]
[[Category:Former republics]]
[[Category:Former unrecognized countries]]
[[Category:Governments in exile]]
[[Category:Members of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization]]
[[Category:Islamic republics]]