Rebel History December 31, 2021 27 years ago today in 1994, Russian forces enter the Chechen capital Gronzy during the First Chechen War. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia became a federation. However within this Russian federation were many ethnic groups of people who still felt subjugated since the old days of the Russian Empire. The most militant of these ethnic groups were white Muslims located in southern Russia in the Caucasus region. Two provinces in this region that had fought the Russians for centuries was Dagestan and Chechnya. The people of Chechnya wasted no time organizing a serious independence movement as the dissolution of the Soviet Union began in 1991. Chechen separatists stormed a session of the Soviet installed government and killed their communist leaders. They were adamant that Chechnya was not only a free republic outside of the Soviet Union, but also the Russian Federation. Russia was not going to let a province that had been under their domain for centuries separate without a fight. Small instances of violence began to occur between both sides as Russia started applying military pressure in the region and building up their forces. It was decided that a three-pronged attack would be launched on the Chechen rebel capital of Gronzy on New Year’s Eve. As part of the Russian forces were about to enter the city, a Chechen commander begged over the radio to the incoming Russians not to come into their capital because they would die, the chilling audio was recorded (See references). “Ivan, maybe while it’s not too late,” the Chechen said over the radio: “Tell your men to retreat. Don’t do this, don’t do this. In any case, Ivan, you and I will die. What’s the point of all this? Who will win this? You and I will not win this, understand? If we or I see you in the action, I won’t show you mercy, just like you won’t, understand? It’s better if you come to me as a guest. Retreat your men, have pity for their mothers, have pity for your guys, retreat them. Give the order to retreat.” After a pause, “I can’t give that order,” the Russian commander responded. “Ivan, listen to me!” the Chechen said, raising his voice. “From my heart, I wish that you survive this, but you better leave.” “I don’t have a choice!” he responded. “I have orders and I will obey them in any case.” The first wave of the Russian forces entering the city were mostly young conscripts and the result of the New Year’s Eve battle was a disaster for them. When the captured Russian soldiers were shown on TV, some of their mothers without assistance of the Russian government went to Gronzy to successfully negotiate the release of their sons. Over the next two months fighting would rage on in the Chechen capital and Russia would secure it in a pyrrhic victory only to lose it in August 1996. Demoralized from this encounter, Russia would be brought to the negotiation table. But over the next 20 years the fight for absolute Chechen independence would continue until a Pro-Russian government was successfully installed that kept Chechnya in the federation to this date. The fighting during the Chechen Wars is considered to be the toughest war the Russians have experienced since World War 2. [Online References] Chilling video of audio from Chechen Commander pleading to the Russian Commander to not come into the city: (https://youtu.be/bWzB8IkXWJI ) First Chechen War: (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18190473 ) (https://www.rand.org/.../monograph.../MR1289/MR1289.sum.pdf ) (https://sites.tufts.edu/.../08/07/russia-1st-chechen-war/ ) Battle of Gronzy: (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/482323.stm ) (https://www.rand.org/natsec_area/products/chechen.html ) (https://popularmilitary.com/chilling-radio-message.../ ) Authored by R.E. Foy