The Second Chechen War

The Second Chechen War began in 1999 when Russia launched a military campaign to regain control over Chechnya, a breakaway republic seeking independence. Following the First Chechen War in the 1990s, which ended in a Russian withdrawal, tensions escalated after a series of bombings in Russia were blamed on Chechen militants. The conflict involved brutal urban warfare and significant civilian casualties. By 2009, Russia had effectively reestablished control over Chechnya, though conflict persisted in the form of insurgency and violence. The war highlighted issues of nationalism, terrorism, and the complex dynamics of Russian-Chechen relations.