Chechen army: Stronger in 1994? or 1999?

[Navid]

Maybe some of the poeple who fought in chechnya or are from russia could help out..

I always wondered which chechen army was stronger that russia faced.. the one the russians faced in 1994 or the one in 1999.. now someone said to me the chechen army in 1999 was much stronger then the one in 1994.. and i tend to believe that.. but when u think about it.. the russians lost to the 1994 army but have beaten the 1999 one.. i hope that makes sense.. Perm? obr16?

[Obergefreiter]

I don't know which army was stronger. I think the difference was the tactics the Russian used, and who was fighting on the rebel side.

The first time, the Russians simply rolled in (to a trap) thinking the sight of them would make the rebels run. The rebels stood their ground and an unprepaired Russian army was not able to win with what they had commited., and the way they attacked. Conscripts showed their failing as they almost always do, and so did some of the oldschool officers.

The second time the Russians properly supported their attacks. Maybe even too much support if that is possible. The tactic was expensive, but saved the lives of amny soldiers. It left the rebels with few tactics but to run for the hills or hide and have the few survivors fight it out under terrible odds.
The Russians fought the war smarter.

I also think the first war was more of a "rebellion" or a break away. Many more of the fighters were from the area.

By time the second war came around it was more of a "holy war" for the Muslims. It was not about a free state, but Jihad. Muslims from all around came in to fight. More weapons and manpower maybe, but arogant, in their ability to win easlily. That will burn you every time.

I have to admit I supported the first war on the side of the Chechyns. The second time around, it was a whole different war. The rebels werenot fighting for freedom, only some stupid religious idea that they would never see even if they had won.

Just my insight. I know Perm and I have fought quite badly on this subject in the past, but I have to admit my views have changed.

[Russian Texan]

I am sure 16 OBrSpN can give you much more detailed answer but before he gets here - my opinion is: in 1995 Chechens were stronger, Russian military was almost on the verge of collapse due to the numerous political games, poor to non-existent leadership, financial starvation and lack of motivation.
Although even back then it still could have won, if not for the politics: numerous restrictions, betrayals, one-sided cease fires, etc...

During the second war situation significantly changed/improved on the Russian side in all of the aspects mentioned above.
I think Chechen strenght improved also due to the experience and additional financial injections from abroad.

[RomanS]

Obergefreiter
Summerized it actually very well.

During the first war, especially towards the end it was clear what was the mistake Russians made.

A lot of succsesfull missions were executed almost perfectly in the last months of the fight. Several teams that fought in Bamut, and Vedeno managed to hurt the resistance hard.

Dudaev paid a high price for it. With thousands of dead civilians, refugees, and his own death.

The Russians also had to withdraw because of Western pressure. The country was hurting financially, so Boris had to pull the troops out in order to stay on USA's humanitarian payroll.

You can actually almost call Chechens lucky, because another couple of years, and Chechnya would under better control. There were other ways around, like SCUDing the whole region, and leveling the whole coutnry without use of nukes, but thats a no-no.

However Russians knew that Chechens won't stop on just independance, and their own state. Second war is a lot different. Less soldier meat, more spetsnaz pitbulls. Chechens began to take heavy losses almost instantly in 1999, so they switched to a different tactic which you've all witnessed many times on the news.

Cheers

[Dennis G]

16 OBrSpN would you please tell me something about yourself, I'm sorry I have seen alot of things like the comment above. Tell me about your military background and the conflicts that you have seen if you dont mind.

[koster]

16 OBrSpN would you please tell me something about yourself, I'm sorry I have seen alot of things like the comment above. Tell me about your military background and the conflicts that you have seen if you dont mind.
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5954&highlight=

[RuSoKaR]

Well during the second war Chechens and bunch of missionaries had support from some Arabian countries, but civilians didn't thought that is was their war, there were rumors that Chechen leaders go a couple of million dollars, During second war Chechen leaders moved their forces to the Dagestan(a region east of Chechnia), From that time civilians from those territories got to arms to fight chechens, and this wasn't a Jihad, people who were fighting were, and some still are fighting for money, to show some Arabian organizations that they are still active, and this is not a good reason to fight for. From 1999 a lot of muslims realized that those misianeries, had nothing to do with Islam.

During the first war chechens had some BTRs and some tanks.

a good article about second chechen war writen by a chechen it's title is "What are we fighting for?" http://www.army.lv/4e4nja/Rasskazi/Za_chto_vojujem.htm