15 years since the defeat of the pro-Russian insurgency in Chechnya

15 years ago, on November 26, 1994 pro-Moscow "Chechen opposition", with the active support of the Kremlin, attempted to overthrow President of Chechnya Dzhokhar Dudayev.

The failure of the armed seizure of power by the so-called "Opposition forces" provided the impetus for an open military aggression and the beginning of a wider war, which continues up to this day. 

At dawn on November 26, 1994 armed detachments of the pro-Moscow Chechen opposition, under the guise of Russian tanks of Kantemirovskaya and Taman divisions, and supported by Russia's aviation, entered the city of Grozny (Solzh-Ghala now Dzhokhar) from 3 sides.

The "opposition" units were commanded by self-styled mayor of Nadterechny district of Chechnya, Umar Avturkhanov, declaring himself head of the "Provisional Council of Chechnya, the former mayor of the Chechen capital, Bislan Gantamirov and a criminal convict Ruslan Labazanov.

According to the Chechen side, the rebellion consisted of about 4 thousand of pro-Moscow militia and about 100 units of various armored vehicles, the crews of which were consisted of Russian army's troops, recruited by the then FSK (now the FSB).

In the direct recruitment were involved the head of the Moscow FSK Sevastyanov and Stepashin personally, the head of FSK.

In the fierce battles that lasted all day, the rebels were completely defeated and driven out from the city.

On November 26 in Grozny about 20 tanks, 18 infantry fighting vehicles and 23 APC were destroyed. Three tanks, eight APCs and four infantry fighting vehicles have been taken as a trophy. According to various estimates in the battle for Grozny there were from 300 to 450 rebels and 70 Russian mercenaries killed.

Hundreds of pro-Moscow militia were wounded. From 150 to 200 members of the armed invasion were taken as prisoners, among whom there were 35 officers of Taman and Kantemirovskaya divisions, as well as about 30 soldiers and staff of FSK.

The November 26 marked the beginning of an open armed invasion of Russia in Chechnya. It was this day that is considered the beginning of Russian-Chechen war, which has developed into a Caucasian Jihad.

The November 26 was declared by Dzhokhar Dudayev the Day of armed forces of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.