The Chechen people had never willingly accepted Russian rule . With the dissolution of the Soviet Union , the Chechens declared independence in November 1991 , under the leadership of a former Air Forces officer , General Dzhokar Dudayev . The continuation of Chechen independence was seen as reducing Moscow 's authority ; Chechnya became perceived as a haven for criminals , and a hard-line group within the Kremlin began advocating war . A Security Council meeting was held 29 November 1994 , where Yeltsin ordered the Chechens to disarm , or else Moscow would restore order . Defense Minister Pavel Grachev assured Yeltsin that he would " take Grozny with one airborne assault regiment in two hours . " The operation began on 11 December 1994 and , by 31 December , Russian forces were entering Grozny , the Chechen capital . The 131st Motor Rifle Brigade was ordered to make a swift push for the centre of the city , but was then virtually destroyed in Chechen ambushes . After finally seizing Grozny amid fierce resistance , Russian troops moved on to other Chechen strongholds . When Chechen militants took hostages in the Budyonnovsk hospital hostage crisis in Stavropol Kray in June 1995 , peace looked possible for a time , but the fighting continued . Following this incident , the separatists were referred to as '' insurgents '' or '' terrorists '' within Russia
Budyonnovsk hospital hostage crisis
Budyonnovsk hospital hostage crisis
Russian Ground Forces