| FREEDOM FIGHTERS The First Chechen War also known as the War in Chechnya was fought between Russia and Chechnya from 1994 to 1996 and resulted in Chechnya's de facto independence from Russia as the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. After the initial campaign of 1994--1995, culminating in the devastating Battle of Grozny, Russian federal forces attempted to control the mountainous area of Chechnya but were set back by Chechen guerrilla warfare and raids on the flatlands in spite of Russia's overwhelming manpower, weaponry, and air support. The resulting widespread demoralization of federal forces, and the almost universal opposition of the Russian public to the brutal conflict, led Boris Yeltsin's government to declare a ceasefire in 1996 and sign a peace treaty a year later. The official figure for Russian military losses is 5500, while most estimates put the number between 3500 and 7500, one as high as 14000.[5] Although there are no accurate figures for the number of Chechen militants killed, the official Russian estimate puts the number at about 15000. Chechen separatists claim no more than 3000. Various figures estimate the number of civilian deaths between 50000 - 100000, and over 200000 injured. More than 500000 persons were displaced by the conflict,[6] as cities and villages across the republic were left in ruins. en.wikipedia.org Tags: 1994 1996 Chechnya Chechen Caucasus Ichkeria Grozny Russia Soviet Union USSR Russian Federation War Genocide Muhajadin Rebels ... |
