History of Chechnya

Recent militant attacks

At about 2:30 PM local time on December 27, 2002, two truck bombs were driven at high speed into the Grozny headquarters of Chechnya's federal-backed government in an apparent suicide attack, killing at least 72 people, injuring at least 500, and destroying the Chechen government administrative building.

Related Topics:
December 27 - 2002 - Grozny

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The next day, Russian counterterrorism officials accused President Mashkadov of conspiring with Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev and an Arab named Abu al-Walid, said to be a member of a terrorist organization called the Muslim Brotherhood, to plan the attack. Mashkadov issued a statement condemning the attacks and denying any involvement.

Related Topics:
Shamil Basayev - Arab - Abu al-Walid - Muslim Brotherhood

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According to Russian officials, the vehicles used in the attacks were a large, heavy truck and a smaller Jeep-type vehicle with Russian military license plates. The drivers wore federal military uniforms and carried official passes which allowed them through three successive military checkpoints on their way to the headquarters building. A guard at the fourth and final checkpoint attempted to inspect the vehicles, and began firing on the trucks as they drove through the checkpoint towards the building.

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After the bombings of the government headquarters, Chechen militants staged more suicide bombings throughout the region. On May 12, 2003, a truck bomb killed 59 at another government building. Two days later, 2 women bombers killed 16 in an attempt to kill the pro-Moscow future president of Chechnya. On June 4, a female bomber blew herself up near a bus in Chechnya, killing 20.

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Suicide bombings - May 12 - 2003 - June 4

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On July 5, two bombers killed 14 at a rock concert outside Moscow, the first time such an attack has occurred there. On August 1, a truck bomb levelled a Russian military hospital and killed 50. A suicide bombing December 5 killed 44 on a Russian train, and on December 9, a female bomber killed 6 people in Moscow, apparently targeting the Russian parliament. Another attack in Moscow took place on February 6, 2004, when a bomber killed 41 people on a subway.

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July 5 - Moscow - August 1 - December 5 - December 9 - February 6 - 2004

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On May 9, 2004, the pro-Moscow president, Akhmad Kadyrov, was assassinated by a bomb placed under his seat while observing a Victory Day parade. Six others were also killed. Chechen militants were the prime suspects and President Putin vowed revenge on those groups responsible.

Related Topics:
May 9 - 2004 - Akhmad Kadyrov - Victory Day

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Just five days before the Chechen elections on August 24, 2004, two airliners were bombed in southern Russia, killing 90 people. Authorities said two Chechen female bombers were probably responsible. This was hours after a bombing at a Moscow bus stop wounded 4. A week later, on August 31, a suicide bomber killed 10 outside a Moscow subway station. The next day an international group of terrorists, believed to be Chechen, Ingush, and ethnic Russian Islamic militants seized a school in North Ossetia, holding approximately 1,100 people hostage. Apparently a bomb inside the school accidentally detonated causing hostages to flee. The guerrillas responded by seting off more bombs and opening fire at the children and adults. At least 335 hostages died, including about 156 children, and more than 550 wounded.

Related Topics:
August 24 - 2004 - Two airliners were bombed - August 31 - Terrorists - Seized a school - North Ossetia

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