The Siege of Grozny

The Siege of Grozny refers to repeated military conflicts between Russian forces and Chechen separatists, primarily during the First (1994-1996) and Second Chechen Wars (1999-2009). Grozny, the Chechen capital, was heavily fortified and became a fiercely contested city, experiencing intense urban warfare. Russian troops aimed to reassert control over Chechnya, which had declared independence. The battles involved brutal combat, significant destruction, and civilian suffering. The siege highlights the complexities of insurgency, national sovereignty, and regional instability, ultimately leading to Russia maintaining influence over Chechnya, though at a high human and infrastructural cost.