Crisis Phase (November 1, 1990-November 24, 1994): Chechen nationalists established the All National Congress of the Chechen People or the Chechen National Congress (CNC) in November 1990, and General Dzhozkhar Dudayev was elected chairman. General Dudayev seized power in Chechnya on September 15, 1991, and he was elected leader of Chechnya on October 27, 1991. Chechnya declared its independence from Russia on November 2, 1991. President Boris Yeltsin declared a state-of-emergency on November 8, 1991 (rescinded by the Russian parliament on November 11, 1991), and ordered 650 government troops to Grozny on November 10, 1991. General Dudayev assumed the office of prime minister on November 18, 1991. Government and Chechen representative held negotiations in Sochi on March 12-14, 1992. General Dudayev proclaimed Chechnya’s independence from Russia on April 29, 1992. Government troops were withdrawn from Chechnya on June 8, 1992. Ruslan Khasbulatov formed an anti-Dudayev paramilitary force, which was supported by Russia, on September 4, 1994.
Conflict Phase (November 25, 1994-August 31, 1996): Ruslan Khasbulatov’s troops and government troops attacked Grozny on November 25, 1994, but were defeated by Chechen troops on November 29, 1994. Government military aircraft attacked the Grozny airport on November 29, 1994. Some 55,000 government troops invaded Chechnya beginning on December 11, 1994. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) established a mission consisting of 37 personnel to provide humanitarian assistance to some 220,000 individuals internally displaced during the conflict beginning on February 6, 1995. Government troops captured the capital of Grozny in March 1995. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) established a mission consisting of 480 personnel to provide humanitarian assistance to the 400,000 civilians displaced by the conflict. On April 11, 1995, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Permanent Council established the OSCE Assistance Group to Chechnya to facilitate dialogue and negotiations between Russian government and Chechen representatives, to promote human rights in the country, and to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance. The OSCE mission, which consisted of six personnel, was headed by Tim Guldimann of Switzerland. President Boris Yeltsin declared a unilateral ceasefire beginning on April 28, 1995. The OSCE mission facilitated negotiations between government and Chechen representatives beginning on May 25, 1995. Government and Chechen representatives signed a ceasefire agreement on July 30, 1995. On October 6, 1995, the government broke the ceasefire after a government military convoy was attacked by Chechen rebels. President Yeltsin announced a unilateral ceasefire on March 31, 1996, but Chechen rebels killed 28 government soldiers in Vedeno on April 1, 1996. Chechen rebels killed more than 30 government soldiers near Goiskoye on April 5, 1996, and killed some 76 government soldiers near Shatoi on April 16, 1996. General Dudayev was killed by government troops near the village of GekhiChu on April 21, 1996, and he was replaced by Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev on April 25, 1996. Government and Chechen representatives signed a ceasefire agreement on May 27, 1996. Government and Chechen representatives signed a demilitarization agreement on June 10, 1996. The Russian government began a troop withdrawal from Chechnya on June 11, 1996. The Council of Europe (COE) Parliamentary Assembly condemned Russian violations of the ceasefire agreement on July 12, 1996. The COE Parliamentary Assembly condemned Russian military operations in Chechnya on July 24, 1996. Eight government soldiers were killed in military hostilities on July 30-31, 1996, and eight Chechens were killed by government troops in southeastern Chechnya on August 1, 1996. Chechen rebels launched a military offensive against government troops in Grozny beginning on August 6, 1996. Government and Chechen representatives signed a ceasefire agreement on August 31, 1996. Some 400 government soldiers were killed in the military hostilities from August 6-31, 1996. Some 100,000 individuals were killed, and some 500,000 individuals were displaced during the conflict.
Post-Conflict Phase (September 1, 1996-September 22, 1999): Four government soldiers were killed by Chechen rebels near Grozny on November 19, 1996, and five government soldiers were killed by Chechen rebels in Gudermes on December 14, 1996. Six ICRC personnel were killed in Novye Atagi on December 17, 1996. The ICRC suspended its mission in Chechnya on December 18, 1996. Government troops completed their withdrawal from Chechnya on January 5, 1997. Aslan Maskhadov was elected president of Chechnya with 59.3 percent of the vote on January 27, 1997. The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) established a mission consisting of some 100 observers headed by Tim Guldiman to monitor the presidential and parliamentary elections on January 25-28, 1997. The COE Parliamentary Assembly sent observers to monitor the presidential and parliamentary elections, and reported that the elections were free and fair. The Norwegian Helsinki Committee (NHC) sent two observers to monitor the presidential and parliamentary elections beginning on January 25, 1997. The NHC mission issued its report on February 10, 1997. President Yeltsin and President Aslan Maskhadov of Chechnya signed a peace agreement on May 12, 1997, which provided Chechnya with local autonomy. The European Union (EU) approved economic assistance to Chechnya on May 13, 1997. Amnesty International (AI) condemned the Chechen government for the execution of two individuals in Grozny on September 3, 1997. The COE Parliamentary Assembly condemned the Chechen government for public executions in Chechnya on March 12, 1999. Government troops and Chechen rebels clashed near the border on June 17-18, 1999, resulting in the deaths of seven government soldiers. Government troops and Chechen rebels clashed near the border on August 2-3, 1999, resulting in the deaths of four government soldiers and seven rebels.
Conflict Phase (September 23, 1999-April 16, 2009): Government troops launched a military offensive against Chechnya on September 23, 1999. The US appealed for peaceful negotiations between government and Chechen representatives on September 24, 1999. Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi of Iran expressed support for the government on September 25, 1999. France, Germany, and Italy jointly appealed for peaceful negotiations between the parties on September 30, 1999. The EU appealed for peaceful negotiations on September 30, 1999. Some 230,000 Chechens fled the region as refugees (some 215,000 refugees fled to Ingushetia). The ICRC established a mission consisting of 185 observers to provide humanitarian assistance to the refugees in Ingushetia beginning in October 1999. EU foreign ministers appealed for peaceful negotiations between the parties on October 11, 1999. The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) condemned the government for the use of military force against civilians in Chechnya on October 14, 1999. Human Rights Watch (HRW) condemned the government for closing the border between North Ossetia and Chechnya to Chechen refugees on October 14, 1999. Government military aircraft attacked Chechen rebels in southern Chechnya on October 18, 1999, resulting in the deaths of some 40 rebels. Government troops attacked Grozny on October 21, 1999, resulting in the deaths of some 143 individuals. Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen of Finland, chairman of the EU, appealed for peaceful negotiations on October 22, 1999. President Bill Clinton of the US appealed for a ceasefire and peaceful negotiations on October 28, 1999. The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) condemned the Russian government on October 30, 1999. The COE Parliamentary Assembly appealed for a ceasefire on November 4, 1999. The Nordic Council (NC) appealed to the government for a cessation of military hostilities on November 8, 1999. Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer of Germany and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary-General George Robertson jointly appealed for a ceasefire on November 10, 1999. EU foreign minister condemned the government for the “disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force” in Chechnya on November 15, 1999. The World Council of Churches (WCC) condemned the “disproportionate and irresponsible use of force employed by government military forces” in Chechnya on November 16, 1999. Turkey provided humanitarian assistance to Chechen refugees beginning on November 25, 1999. NATO foreign ministers condemned the government for “disproportionate and indiscriminate” force in Chechnya and appealed for peaceful negotiations on December 3, 1999. Turkey appealed for peaceful negotiations between government and Chechen representatives on December 7, 1999. Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi of Iran, representing the OIC, appealed for a ceasefire on December 7, 1999. President Jiang Zemin of China expressed support for the government on December 9, 1999. Japan provided humanitarian assistance to Chechen refugees beginning on December 10, 1999. EU heads-of-state condemned the government’s military campaign against Chechnya on December 11, 1999. The COE Parliamentary Assembly condemned the government’s use of military force against civilians in Chechnya and appealed for a ceasefire on December 13, 1999. Saudi Arabia appealed to the government to end its military campaign against Chechnya on December 15, 1999. President Bill Clinton of the US and EU leaders appealed to the government for a ceasefire on December 17, 1999. The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) established a mission to provide humanitarian assistance to Chechen refugees in eastern Georgia beginning in January 2000. Iran provided humanitarian assistance to Chechen refugees beginning in January 2000. The COE Parliamentary Assembly sent a ten-member fact-finding mission headed by Lord Russell-Johnston of Britain to Russia on January 16-20, 2000. The COE Parliamentary Assembly demanded a ceasefire on January 27, 2000. NATO Secretary-General Lord Robertson appealed for peaceful negotiations between the parties on January 28, 2000. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) established a mission to provide humanitarian assistance to Chechen refugees in Ingushetia beginning in January 2000. HRW condemned the government for banning journalists from covering the conflict in Chechnya on February 1, 2000. NATO Secretary-General Lord Robertson appealed for peaceful negotiations between the parties on February 11, 2000. Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine of France appealed to the government to “stop its military operations” against Chechnya on February 15, 2000. Government troops and Chechen rebels clashed near the village of Ulus-Kert on February 29-March 1, 2000, resulting in the deaths of some 84 government soldiers and 25 Chechen rebels. The COE Parliamentary Assembly sent a nine-member fact-finding mission headed by Lord Judd of Britain to Russia on March 9-12, 2000. Chechen rebels ambushed a government military convoy from Perm on March 29, 2000, resulting in the deaths of some 42 government soldiers. The EU provided humanitarian assistance to Chechen refugees in Ingushetia beginning in March 2000. The COE Parliamentary Assembly imposed diplomatic sanctions (suspension of voting rights) against the government in April 2000. Chechen rebels and government troops clashed near the village of Serzhen-Yurt in southern Chechnya on April 23, 2000, resulting in the deaths of 15 government soldiers and 15 rebels. Chechen rebels killed 18 government soldiers near the village of Galashki on May 11, 2000. Government military aircraft attacked Chechen rebel targets near the village of Zhani-Vedeno on May 25, 2000. Chechen rebels killed three government troops near Grozny on May 27, 2000. Chechen rebels killed two Russian soldiers in Grozny on June 20, 2000, and Chechen rebels killed two Russian soldiers near Mesker-Yurt on June 21, 2000. Russian troops and Chechen rebels clashed near the village of Serzhen-Yurt on June 27-28, 2000, resulting in the deaths of some 60 rebels and twelve Russian soldiers. Chechen rebels killed nine Russian soldiers near the village of Avtury on July 1, 2000. Chechen rebels bombed a building near the town of Argun on July 3, 2000, resulting in the deaths of some 20 individuals. Government troops and Chechen rebels clashed near the village of Novogroznensky on July 16, 2000, resulting in the deaths of 50 rebels. Chechen rebels killed six government soldiers near Grozny on July 20, 2000. Chechen rebels killed two government policemen near Grozny on August 8, 2000. Chechen rebels killed 15 individuals in a bombing in Grozny on October 12, 2000. Lord Russell-Johnston, president of the COE Parliamentary Assembly, condemned the bombing in Grozny on October 12, 2000. Government troops and Chechen rebels clashed near the village of Gekhi on November 21, 2000, resulting in the deaths of five rebels. Medicins Sans Fontieres (MSF) condemned the government’s “policy of terror” in Chechnya on November 22, 2000. Chechen rebels killed four government soldiers in Grozny on November 22-23, 2000. Chechen rebels killed 14 government soldiers on December 29, 2000. The COE Parliamentary Assembly sent a fact-finding mission to Russia and Chechnya on January 13-18, 2001. Chechen rebels killed 14 government soldiers throughout the region on January 23-24, 2001. The COE Parliamentary Assembly lifted diplomatic sanctions (suspension of voting rights) against the government on January 26, 2001. Chechen rebels killed 21 government soldiers throughout Chechnya on March 15, 2001. Chechen rebels killed three government policemen near Grozny on June 9, 2001. Chechen rebels killed ten government soldiers near Gudermes on September 17, 2001. Chechen rebels downed a Russian military helicopter near Grozny on September 17, 2001, resulting in the deaths of ten government soldiers. Government and Chechen representatives held negotiations in Moscow on November 18, 2001. Government troops launched a military offensive against Chechen rebels southeast of Grozny from December 10, 2001 to January 7, 2002, resulting in the deaths of 92 rebels and 5 government soldiers. Chechen rebels killed six government soldiers in southern Chechnya on April 17, 2002. Chechen rebels exploded a bomb in Grozny on April 18, 2002, resulting in the deaths of 17 government police. The OSCE Assistance Group to Chechnya was disbanded on March 21, 2003. A new constitution, which granted autonomy to the Chechen Republic with the Russian Federation, was approved in a referendum on March 23, 2003. The new constitution went into effect on April 2, 2003. Some 17 government policemen were killed by Chechen rebels near Grozny on April 15, 2003. Some 40 individuals were killed by Chechen rebels in Znamenskoye on May 12, 2003. The president of the COE Parliamentary Assembly and the secretary-general of the COE condemned the Chechen rebels on May 12, 2003. Three government policemen were killed by Chechen rebels in Grozny on June 18, 2003. Presidential elections were held in Chechnya on October 5, 2003, and the pro-Russian Ahmad Kadyrov was elected president with more than 80 percent of the vote. Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov was assassinated in Grozny on May 9, 2004. Chechen rebels president, Aslan Maskhadov, was killed by government troops in Tolstoy-Yurt on March 8, 2005. The Chechen rebel council appointed Abdul-Khalim Sadulayev as rebel president on March 9, 2005. Chechen Prime Minister Sergei Abramov resigned on March 1, 2006. Chechen rebel president, Abdul-Khalim Sadulayev, was killed by government police on June 17, 2006. The government ended its military campaign (“counter-terrorism operation”) in Chechnya on April 16, 2009. Some 50,000 individuals were killed during the conflict, including more than 5,000 government soldiers and 16,000 Chechen rebels. Some 250,000 individuals were displaced during the conflict.
Post-Conflict Phase (April 17, 2009-present):
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