Chechnya

Cultural  

1. A predominantly Muslim region in southern Russia, which declared its independence from Russia after the breakup of the Soviet Union. After unsuccessfully invading Chechnya in 1994, Russia renewed its attack in 1999 and took the capital city, Grozny. But Chechen guerrillas (see guerrilla warfare) continue to harass Russian troops in Chechnya. Russians believe that Chechens have been behind terrorist attacks in Moscow. (See terrorism.) Most nations recognize Chechnya as part of Russia.

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Example Sentences

Russia -- which fought two wars in Chechnya and in 2015 intervened in the Syrian civil war to prop up government forces -- has been a target for radical Islamists for years.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

Sarvarov fought in the Russian army's campaigns in the North Caucasus, including Chechnya in the 1990s, according to his official biography on the defence ministry's website.

From Barron's • Dec. 22, 2025

He fought in Chechnya and in a brief war in North Ossetia in the 1990s, and later took part in Russia’s military intervention in Syria.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025

Ramzan Kadyrov is sensitive to people criticising Chechnya from abroad, says Michael Dennis, an expert on Chechen politics at the University of Texas.

From BBC • Nov. 22, 2025

A determined   guerrilla conflict still plagues Russia in Chechnya and threatens to   destabilize the North Caucasus region.

From The 2006 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency