Russia’s Wars in Chechnya: 1994–2009

Osprey Essential Histories #78

by Mark Galeotti

Written by a leading expert on modern Russia, this is an illustrated introduction to the bitter campaigns in Chechnya.

In this new edition of his popular 2014 work, Mark Galeotti traces the progress of the wars in Chechnya, from the initial Russian advance through to urban battles such as Grozny, and the prolonged guerrilla warfare in the mountainous regions. Bringing the book up to date, including a revised introduction and new content on the Kadyrovtsy 's role in Russia's other conflicts, Galeotti assesses how the wars have torn apart the fabric of Chechen society and their impact on Russia itself.

Featuring full-colour maps and 50 new images, and drawing upon a wide range of sources, this succinct account explains the origins, history and consequences of Russia's wars in Chechnya, shedding new light on the history – and prospects – of the troubled region.

Genres: History, Russia, War, Military History, Politics, Military Fiction, Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published December 9, 2014

Reviews

[Igor Ljubuncic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short but interesting read.

This books tells us about 15 years of warfare in Chechnia and the nearby regions, shedding light on a very volatile political and cultural situation that goes back hundreds of years, and made worse by the recent rise in global terrorism. It gives us an overview into the Chechen nation, then their suffering in the Russian tzarist and the Soviet era, and the more recent nationalistic revival following the breakup of the USSR. So far so known.

Next, the book goes into the two wars, the political games, and the low-intensity guerilla and terror that followed the major engagements. It is interesting to study about the war both from the Chechen perspective - they were far from one united nation, they had their own strife, including tribal and religious problems, the influx of foreign mercenaries - and from the Russian perspective - the abysmal performance in the first war, the sharp focus and improvement of the Russian fighting machine under Putin. The book balances between political detail, key players, mention of civilian suffering, major battles, and some overview of the materiel and tactics. It's not as in-depth as I'd have hoped for, but it comes with plenty of photos and narrative variety.

This book does have a rather Western perspective, and I'd like it to be longer and more detailed, especially since it covers also the nearby Dagestan and Ingushetia, mentions the wider Caucasus region problems and conflicts, and it would be nice to learn more about the political leaders on both sides. We only get a glimpse of their motives, but not enough.

However, the "bad" parts are really miniscule. Quite recommended for milhist fans, especially since it focuses on a fresh, somewhat unusual and less glamorous topic that you don't normally get to see in the press.

Igor

[Sleepy Boy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of the wars in Chechnya. Extra star for the subject matter being fairly recent history.

[Dmitry · Rating 2 out of 5]

(The English review is placed beneath the Russian one)

А наутро выпал снег
После долгого огня
Этот снег убил меня
Погасил двадцатый век
Я набрал его в ладонь
Сплюнул в белый грязь и пыль
То ли небыль, то ли быль
То ли вечность, то ли вонь

Короткий и поверхностный обзор военного конфликта между Россией и Чечнёй начавшийся после распада СССР. Можно даже сказать, что распад СССР стал основной причиной появления сначала политического конфликта, а после и военного. Несмотря на то, что автор коротко знакомит читателя с далёкой историей противостояния Чечни с Российской Империей и Советским Союзом, понять, почему всё же начались военные действия на территории Чечни (Первая Чеченская война), довольно трудно. Автор не рассматривает этот вопрос достаточно глубоко. Можно лишь предполагать, что Ельцин видел в отделении Чечни от РФ угрозу возможного отделения других регионов, однако в пользу этой версии у меня есть сомнения. К примеру, в начале правления Ельцина, были похожие конфликты, которые происходили за пределами РФ. Это, разумеется, военный конфликт в Приднестровье, где ельцинская Россия встала на сторону сепаратистов (знакомая картина, не правда ли?). Потом был серьёзный конфликт с Грузией, когда ельцинская Россия также встала на сторону сепаратистов (знакомая картина, не так ли?). И был конфликт между Россией и Украиной по вопросу Крыма. Возможно, были и другие случаи, когда ельцинская Россия вставала на сторону сепаратистов в каком-нибудь военным конфликте, коих после распада СССР было множество. Короче говоря, причин, почему Ельцин решил воевать с Чечнёй могло быть множество. Однако автор не рассматривает это вопрос настолько подробно, чтобы можно было понять, чего же было большего в той истории - имперской идеологии или финансового вопроса (есть мнение, что военный конфликт в Чечне начался из-за залежей нефти, а вовсе не из-за решения Чечни объявить о своей независимости). Получается, что автор просто суммирует все те события, что происходили в Чечне за время Первой и Второй чеченских войн.

Насколько интересно читать книгу, большой вопрос. Как мне кажется, тут главным является причины конфликта, а не какие полевые командиры появились и что делали. Да, книга производит впечатление, что окончание Первой чеченской войны было делом временным, ибо после этого стали возникать неподконтрольные официальным чеченским властям полевые командиры и страна медленно, но верно ввергалась в хаос бандитизма и терроризма, что привело к появлению уже религиозных фундаменталистов. Однако книга не пытается анализировать ситуацию, а предлагает читателю короткое хронологическое описание. Даже для российского читателя все эти события носят очень отдалённое отношение, что уж говорить об иностранном читателе. Автор, к примеру, не задаётся вопросом, можно ли было избежать начала этого конфликта? Кто виноват в его начале? Почему Ельцин начал военную кампанию против Чечни? Если бы Чечни дали всё то, что она хотела, последовали бы её примеру другие регионы РФ? Почему Западные страны не надавили на Россию, когда была ещё такая возможность, т.е. почему не принудили Россию отказаться от агрессивной политики и сесть за стол переговоров? Автор не задаётся подобными вопросами, а просто констатирует факты, как это делает Википедия. И вот с этой точки зрения, книга довольно скучная.

Сегодня мы уже понимает, что чеченская авантюра дорого обошлась не только России, но и её соседям. То что происходит сегодня в Украине есть прямое следствие того что происходило в Чечне. Ещё один важный момент, связанный с конфликтом вокруг Чечни заключается в том, что как указывают многие аналитики, Путин будет делать в Украине то же самое, что он делал в Чечне (фильтрационные лагеря, зачистки поселений, награждения тех, кто сотрудничает и убийства тех, кто продолжает сопротивляться и так далее). Поэтому с этой точки зрения, книгу стоит прочесть, чтобы понять, что же задумал Путин или как он думает «усмирить» Украину. Как говорится, «Старых собак новым трюкам не научишь». Я не думаю, что у Путина есть какой-то другой план/способ по решению украинского вопроса за исключением того что он делал с Чечнёй. Следовательно, Путин будет искать для «новых территорий» аналога Кадырова, который небывалой жестокостью подавит любое сопротивление, признает Путина в качестве политического отца, за что получит ярлык на неограниченное княжение. Однако тут есть один нюанс: Украина не является Чечнёй. Чтобы сработал тот же подход что и в Чечне Украина должна быть оккупирована полностью. Однако это вряд ли произойдет, что означает, что всякие появившиеся новоявленные украинские кадыровы рискуют в один прекрасный день быть взорванными партизанами. Так что, несмотря на то, что именно такую политику будет проводить Путин на территории восточной Украины, воплотить её в реальность ему вряд ли удастся.

It's a short and superficial overview of the military conflict between Russia and Chechnya that started after the collapse of the USSR. One could even say that the collapse of the USSR was the main reason for the emergence of a political conflict and then a military one. Despite the fact that the author briefly familiarizes the reader with the distant history of Chechnya's confrontation with the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, it is rather difficult to understand why the military actions on the territory of Chechnya (the First Chechen War) started. The author does not consider this issue in any depth. It can only be assumed that Yeltsin saw the separation of Chechnya from the Russian Federation as a threat to the possible secession of other regions, but I have doubts in favor of this version. For example, at the beginning of Yeltsin's rule, there were similar conflicts that took place outside the Russian Federation. This is, of course, the military conflict in Transnistria, where Yeltsin's Russia sided with the separatists (a familiar picture, isn't it?). Then there was the conflict with Georgia, where Yeltsin's Russia also sided with the separatists (a familiar picture, isn't it?). And there was the conflict between Russia and Ukraine over Crimea. There may have been other cases when Yeltsin's Russia sided with separatists in some military conflict, of which there were many after the collapse of the USSR. In short, there could have been many reasons why Yeltsin decided to go to war with Chechnya. However, the author does not examine this issue in such detail that it is possible to understand what was more important in that story - imperial ideology or the financial issue (there is an opinion that the military conflict in Chechnya started because of oil deposits, not because of Chechnya's decision to declare its independence). It turns out that the author simply summarizes all the events that took place in Chechnya during the First and Second Chechen Wars.

How interesting it is to read the book is a big question. It seems to me that the main thing here is the causes of the conflict, not which field commanders appeared and what they did. Yes, the book gives the impression that the end of the First Chechen War was a temporary matter because after that, warlords beyond the control of the official Chechen authorities began to emerge, and the country slowly but surely plunged into the chaos of banditry and terrorism, which led to the emergence of religious fundamentalists. However, the book does not attempt to analyze the situation but offers the reader a short chronological description. Even for a Russian reader, all these events are very remote, let alone a foreign reader. The author, for example, does not ask whether the beginning of this conflict could have been avoided. Who is to blame for its outbreak? Why did Yeltsin launch a military campaign against Chechnya? If Chechnya had been given everything it wanted, would other regions of the Russian Federation have followed suit? Why didn't the Western countries pressurize Russia when they had the chance, i.e., why didn't they force Russia to abandon its aggressive policy and come to the negotiating table? The author does not ask such questions but simply states the facts, as Wikipedia does. And from this point of view, the book is rather boring.

Today, we already understand that the Chechen adventure cost not only Russia but also its neighbors. What is happening in Ukraine today is a direct consequence of what happened in Chechnya. Another important point related to the conflict over Chechnya is that, as many analysts point out, Putin will do in Ukraine what he did in Chechnya (filtration camps, settlement clearances, rewarding those who cooperate & killing those who continue to resist, and so on). So, from this point of view, the book is worth reading to understand what Putin is up to or how he thinks to "pacify" Ukraine. As the saying goes, "You can't teach old dogs new tricks". I don't think Putin has any other plan/way to deal with the Ukrainian issue other than what he did with Chechnya. Hence, Putin will be looking for a Kadyrov analog for the "new territories" who will crush any resistance with unprecedented brutality, and recognize Putin as a political father, and, for that, he will get a label for unlimited reigning. However, there is one nuance: Ukraine is not Chechnya. To make the same approach work as in Chechnya, Ukraine must be occupied in its entirety. However, this is unlikely to happen, which means that any new Ukrainian Kadyrovs who appear risk being blown up by partisans one day. So, while this is the policy Putin will pursue in eastern Ukraine, he is unlikely to be able to make it a reality.

[Emerson Stokes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Galeotti gives an amazingly concise account of the First and Second Chechen Wars, explaining the political events and military operations of each war as well as the repercussions of the war on Russian and Chechen society.

In many ways the Chechen wars were a sign of things to come - after the collapse of the old order, Russia found its sphere of influence contracting as new entities emerged and old ones established their presence. First were the Chechen nationalists and then the global Jihadists who threatened Russia's power. After the failure of the first war, Russia realized that it could not roll in the tanks as before and had to adjust to a new climate of media control, local collaboration and antiterrorist action. The Second Chechen War would help to shape the rule of Vladimir Putin and its subsequent interventions in other regions around Russia.

As for Chechnya itself, it is hard to argue as of writing that the Chechen wars did much good for the Chechens themselves. Those at home and abroad acquired a newfound sense of nationality, but the country is ruled by who is essentially a federal-backed warlord whom the Russian state has to tread lightly around and allow them to make disturbing incursions into Russian political life (up to and including political assassination). Terrorist acts still occur every now and then in the region of Chechnya-Ingushetia. Additionally, Chechnya is still dependent on federal money and about a third of their working population is unemployed. Given such a situation I do not think the story of the Chechen Wars has quite ended, as the predicament of modern Chechnya does not often lead to stability for the future. This does not mean that there's going to be a third war or anything, just that the results of the Chechen Wars may still cause more change within Chechnya in the future.

[Jeff Swystun · Rating 4 out of 5]

The conflicts in Chechnya are fascinating. The fifteen years that encompassed two wars (1994-96 and 1999-2009 ) provide huge lessons in asymmetrical warfare and hinted at growing Muslim militancy. To say the Russians were tested and often bested is an understatement. Their military was at a historic low point. It lacked funding, training, and discipline. Units were undermanned and inter-service and unit cohesion was nonexistent. The book suggests the military was operating on a budget at least 60% deficient.

This allowed no modernization or progression in doctrine. That is why during the first war, they paid for a strict adherence to Cold War mass mechanized fighting. Meanwhile, the Chechens were innovative and determined. Chechens have historically been fierce mountaineers with a reputation as bandits and excellent guerrilla fighters. They harboured deep resentment towards Russia given Stalin had once deported their entire nation. That mass movement is known as The Exodus (Chechens now refer to Putin as Stalin). This did not stop many of them from serving in the Soviet and Russian forces and then using that expertise and knowledge in their favour.

Chechens adapted their tactics including "hugging" Russian units to avoid airstrikes and setting up resistance in basements as Russian tank guns could not depress low enough to hit them. All the while, the Russians had forgot much of what they learned the hard way fighting in Afghanistan.
Much of the Western powers enjoyed the fact that Russia experienced such difficulty. Unfortunately, they did not examine the conflict closely enough to get a sense of where the world was heading.

Russia went through five commanders in two years in the first war and six in the latter. This lack of leadership impacted morale and failed to reward initiative. The first war came to an uneasy close but did not solve anything. It did not help that Russian refused to reparations. Reconstruction costs were pegged at $300 million. Worse off was the economy as unemployment reached 80% sowing the seeds for the next war. In that conflict, Russia did not hold back and committed three times the number of troops to pacify the republic. Galeotti nails it when he calls the wars in Chechnya "an imperial conquest, a civil war and a terrorist campaign." The latter had several horrendous instances of large number civilian kidnappings and ham handed deadly attempts.

These wars were costly to civilians with estimates of the dead ranging from 20,000 to 200,000. Russian forces peg their losses at close to 11,000 for both wars which many experts consider low. Chechen combat deaths are extremely difficult to substantiate. Regardless, it was a bloody, confusing and ruthless 15 years. This is a fine introduction to this piece of history. For a highly personal narrative, I recommend One Soldier's War by Arkady Babchenko and Nick Allen.

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

another 20-30 pages would make this book SO good, with more focus on equipment/battles

[Aidan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good introduction to the context of the wars and overall timelines. I did find it a little hard to follow at times given how many unfamiliar names and places are being brought up, but I don't think this was the fault of the author. I tend to prefer more people/story based history books. In order to fit the whole conflict into such a succinct book, he does really have to rattle them off. There were some fantastic photos that I hadn't seen before! Definitely going to check out some of the books in the further reading

[Ilia Markov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Изключително подробна и добре написана, книгата покрива всичко от първата чеченска война до Украйна и навлиза в детайл за това как се развиват въоръжените сили на Русия.

[Tristram · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) I find it difficult to review books around the 100-page mark because they are obviously not supposed to be detailed, but then because they are not detailed they're hardly ever satisfying. I guess this is just a quick overview of the two Russo-Chechen wars, almost like a step up from Wikipedia. It was a lot more focused on military history (which I believe is fairly common with these Osprey books), not that much on social history or the political work behind the wars.

It's alright and all as a quick read. Some really nice maps in there. I definitely don't have complaints about it for what it is, but I personally don't really like whistle-stop tour pieces. Unfortunately, there aren't too many books on conflicts in Chechnya at the moment, but I'll definitely check out the other ones that I know of.

[Peter Ellwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful summary of Russia’s two wars in Chechnya. It’s beautifully-produced, almost a coffee table book, and the panoply of photos and illustrations certainly add to its general feel. Many of those familiar with Mark Galeotti’s podcast “In Moscow’s Shadow" (2024) will be pleased to know that the slightly squeaky, almost confidential tone he adopts in that otherwise excellent product (sorry Professor G) is entirely absent here. He sticks to the point with barely a flicker.

I found the text a little unbalanced. At a total of 90-odd pages, including its multitude of full-page photos and maps, it is pretty concentrated to begin with. The opening ten pages, summarising centuries of history, are indispensable for a deeper understanding; but he might helpfully have made that section a bit longer to set the scene. There’s a lot to understand! In the same mould, it was mildly surprising that he devoted two sections to thumbnail portraits of individuals, presumably to give the flavour of that period – in one case, a major player at the time, and in the other, an anonymous private citizen. He might have been better advised to omit them and to stretch the narrative as a whole to a total of, say, 120 pages, as it would have made the whole thing easier to digest.

The book was published in 2014, just as Russia was invading Ukraine. In summing up at the time and looking toward the future, he wrote "A new generation of Russians seem much less interested in in being an imperial power, especially if that proves costly". We wish, We wish… But I also wish he could update the next edition, to accommodate the catastrophic impact of Putin’s new expansionism.

[Declan Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the break-up of the USSR a number of satellite states decided they didn't want to be part of the Russian Federation... some of these split from Russia during the years, but the Caucasus the Chechnya was not permitted to do so.

As with the Essential Histories overview of Kosovo reading about a conflict which occured during my life time is a strange experience. Especially one for which there was not a lot of western media coverage. This book proves to be a useful guide to the conflict and doesn't shirk away from describing the actions of both sides (for good or ill - mostly ill). From Russian agression to Chechnya terrorism inside and outside Chechnya.

It is clear and concise (following the format of other books from the series) and leaves the reader with a reasonable overview of the wars... but the need to read further if they want to find more on the subject.

[Matti Paasio · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘It is just as hard to subjugate the Chechens and other peoples of this region as to level the Caucasian range. This is not something to achieve with bayonets but rather with time and enlightenment, in such short supply in our country. The fighting may bring great personal benefits to Yermolov, but none whatsoever to Russia.’

Yermolov was not the Czar, he was not quite Putin, but he was close.

[Nikita Vasilev · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is great for someone who knows nothing about Chechen Wars.
But judging by originality and enlargement of knowledge about this war Mark Galeotti's work lacks an independent investigation and substantive new thoughts.
It's just a compilation of well known facts, good for enlightment of beginners, bad as a historical research.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A history of topical conquest never quite out of date

A good general history that tells you all you need to know with some intriguing insights and characters studies. A quick read for me. Nice one.

[Connor Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of the two Chechen wars. Doesn't go into too much detail so its quite a quick read but its useful if you just want a brief summary of the conflict as general knowledge or as background reading for other books on the subject.

[Matt Caris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent introduction for anybody not familiar with the topic.

[Matthew · Rating 1 out of 5]

Only finished it because it's so short.

[Dragos Gasser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Destul de bine documentată!

[Autumn Kearney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written book about a horrible situation.

[Alex Levine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good, concise explanation. Putin’s Wars incorporates the material largely wholesale.

[Sneaky Sneaky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool

[Tudor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, concise book if you want to get an overview of the wars and the general dynamics between russians and chechens.

[Гриша Атанасов · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Войните на Путин. От Чечения до Украйна" е новото произведение на британския историк Марк Галеоти. В нея става въпрос за военните конфликти, в които Путин въвлича Русия. Книгата обяснява корените на войната в Украйна, а авторът е един от най-компетентните съвременни познавачи на Русия и руската история. Галеоти е автор на около 15 книги посветени на Русия и Източна Европа. Той познава събитията отвътре и още преди да излезе тази книга е включен в черния списък, тоест забранено му е да влиза в Русия след началото на войната през 2022 година. Галеоти търси не само политологически отговор на този въпрос, а изследва самите войни и армията на Русия.
Тези войни са следствие на политиката, както гласи старата мъдрост, но и на една особена концепция на политтехнолозите около Путин и на самия Путин, че трябва да се възстанови имперското величие на Русия и тя да се утвърди отново като велика сила след разпадането на Съветския съюз. Официалната концепция за всяка една война е, че това е "специална операция" със справедливи цели, като те всъщност са налагането на руската власт и влияние. Според Галеоти войните в Сирия и Украйна са с основна цел да се представи Русия като велика сила, с която всички останали са длъжни да се съобразяват. Относно армията авторът доказва фактологично, че това е една огромна военна машина. Може да е ръждясала, скърцаща, тромава, но разполага с огромни ресурси, както и човешки, които жертва напоследък без никакво колебание. В книгата са показани противоречието и вътрешните конфликти между армията, тайните служби и държавното ръководство, особено на фона на това, което се случва в Украйна.

[Bogdan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Războaiele ruso-cecene s-au purtat între anii 1994-1996 și 1999-2009. Din acești 12 ani, aproape 9 au fost sub formă de o pronunțată și violentă insurecție anti-rusă. Practic, după destrămarea URSS, multe state și-au proclamat independența, printre care și Cecenia. Un număr semnificativ de etnici ruși care trăiau acolo precum și o populație cecenă aproape 95% musulmană au fost cauzele care au dus la un dezechilibru politic. Boris Elțîn și-a făcut însă un obiectiv din pacificarea Ceceniei, și după o prestație relativ lamentabilă, armata rusă a ocupat capitala Ceceniei iar războiul a fost declarat terminat. După câțiva ani, un nou președinte - Vladimir Putin - a decis că problema cecenă încă nu a fost rezolvată; asa că, folosind o armată puternic reformată și mai profesionistă decât cea din primul război, a declanșat un alt conflict cu cecenii: mai sângeros, mai dureros și mai crâncen decât primul.
Cartea este din colecția Osprey, deci este alcătuită după un anume calapod: ne sunt pe rând prezentate cauzele socio-politice ale războiului, comandanții forțelor armate, fazele războaielor, portrete ale soldaților/civililor precum și reacția mondială la aceste conficte. Toate acestea sunt însoțite de fotografii alb-negru și planșe cu hărți, din care unele color. Autorul își face treaba sârguincios, prezentând cu aplomb și chirurgical faptele cunoscute. Ca de obicei, este un bun punct de plecare pentru cei care vor să afle mai multe despre acest subiect.

[Kawing · Rating 3 out of 5]

With great photos and a selection of interesting quotes - this book is just what it's name suggests - the essential history of the recent Chechen wars.

[Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear and concise introduction to one of the most complex and intractable post-Cold War conflicts.