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[[File:Evstafiev palace gunman Chechnya.jpg|thumb|280px|Government palace building in Grozny, Chechnya.]]

[[File:Evstafiev palace gunman Chechnya.jpg|thumb|280px|Government palace building in Grozny, Chechnya.]]

In late 1994, the Russian security forces launched a military operation in the Republic of [[Chechnya]] against internationally financed Islamists who were intent on creating a [[Caliphate]]. The protracted conflict, which received close coverage in the Russian media, was ignored by Western media. In August 1996 the Russian and Chechen Republic authorities negotiated a settlement that resulted in greater autonomy for the Republic to deal with Islamists a complete withdrawal of Russian troops and the holding of elections in January 1997.  

The First Chechen War began with the [[Yeltsin]] government's hollow promise of a "restoration of constitutional order". In late 1994, the Russian security forces launched a military operation in the Republic of [[Chechnya]] against internationally financed Islamists who were intent on creating a [[Caliphate]]. What followed was a mechanized pilgrimage to slaughter: military convoys being ambushed before even reaching Chechnya, maps that were so old they lacked the designated rendezvous points, rebels armed with [[RPG]]s sold to them by the [[corrupt]] [[oligarch]]s living in the antechambers of the government that sent the army in. Yet the [[conscript]]s bled forward anyway, dragging wounded through flame‑gutted stairwells, storming the city of [[Grozny]] house‑by‑house, holding shattered bridges against waves of enemies.

 

The protracted conflict, which received close coverage in the Russian media, was ignored by [[Western]] [[media]]. In August 1996 the Russian and Chechen Republic authorities [[negotiate]]d a settlement that resulted in greater autonomy for the Republic to deal with [[Islamist]]s a complete withdrawal of Russian troops and the holding of [[election]]s in January 1997.

====Second Chechen War====

====Second Chechen War====