Chechnya: The History of the Chechen Republic and the Ongoing Conflict with Russia

Archaeological evidence suggests that Chechnya was settled by 8000 BCE, possibly through migration from the so-called “Fertile Crescent” in today’s Middle East.[1] Having settled in this hostile and distinct territory, the people of the North Caucasus developed distinct customs, language, and culture, and over time, modern-day Chechnya was developed by two separate groups: Chechens and Ingush. The Ingush were based in the mountains while the Chechens lived in the mountains and lower-lying plains.[2] Incursions from outsiders, most notably Mongol invaders and Russian imperialists, have also affected the character of these two groups.

The Chechnyan terrain played a key role in the culture of its inhabitants, most notably because the region is isolated and difficult for outsiders to navigate. In the north of Chechnya lies the Nogay Steppe, leading to the lower lands and valleys of the Terek and Sunzha Rivers. In the south of the country lie the Caucasus mountains, a foreboding range with the highest peak (Mount Tebulosmta) reaching a height of over 15,000 feet. The city of Grozny is located roughly in the middle of Chechnya, just south of the Terek River, while the west and southwest parts of Chechnya are inhabited mainly by the Ingush.[3] Chechnya is simultaneously a hostile territory to outsiders due to its mountainous terrain and geopolitically important. The entire Caucasus region has been fought over for centuries, positioned as a crossroads between East and West on trade routes, relatively near the sea, and with repositories of natural resources and energy. Evidence suggests the region was prone to invasions for centuries, including those from long-forgotten peoples such as the Cimmerians and Scythians.