Second Chechnya War (1996-2006)
The Second Chechen War started in 1996 and ended in 2006,Russia said its objectives were limited to subduing bandits hiding in Chechnya's mountains. However, over time it became apparent that in this second phase of the Chechen war Russia was evidently intent on reversing the humiliating defeat it suffered in Chechnya 3 years prior. The Russian authorities presented the war in Chechnya as a crusade against terrorism and an ultimate attempt to avoid the secession of Chechnya from the Russian Federation. The fighting was the worst in the region since Russia's 1994-1996 civil war with Chechnya. As of early 2000 the Russian side admitted that over 1,100 of its troops had been killed since August 1999, but the Russian Soldiers' Mothers Committee reported 3,000 dead and 6,000 wounded. Estimates of Chechen killed and wounded were far higher, and far less certain. Russian defense officials said at least 10,000 rebels had died. Chechen sources put the figure at less than half that, but said the number of civilians killed was far higher. The number of internally displaced persons was put at more than 230,000 people. Some were kept from fleeing the fighting when Russian authorities closed the Chechnya-Ingushetia border.