1994- Russia wins in Chechnya

[Melvin Loh]

Could the Russian Federation have won a relatively speedy decisive war in late 1994 after invading Chechnya ? What would've been the impact of such a victory on Russia now ? Or was the post-Soviet Russian army at the time too plagued with morale problems, equipment shortages and deficiencies, and poor inept leadership to have been able to suppress the Chechen rebels ? And was the Chechen resistance under Gen Dudayev too intense for the Russians to have been able to overcome anyways ?

[Mr.Bluenote]

I would think that the russian army could have taken Chechnya in '94 had the generals and politicians in charge recognised the chechens as a real opponent and threat rather than rable easily conquered with a few units of paratroops (wasn't that the minister of defences claim or something?). Some more political manuvering, more supplies and a lot more ground troops and airmobile units would have made a difference. Most of the rot in the former Red Army really first sat in after the humiliating affaire in Chechnya. Well, thats my humle opinion and impression at least! :-)

Best Regards!

- Bluenote.

Honeste vivere, alterum non ladere, suum cuique tribuere!

[aktarian]

Originally Posted by Mr.Bluenote

I would think that the russian army could have taken Chechnya in '94 had the generals and politicians in charge recognised the chechens as a real opponent and threat rather than rable easily conquered with a few units of paratroops (wasn't that the minister of defences claim or something?).

Grachev stated that he could take Grozny with airborne regiment in 2 hours.

How Russians could win:
-wait couple of months (Dudayev would likelly fall by then and even if they have to attack it woun't be in the middle of winter)
-prepare for attack, train troops, don't put crews in AFVs who didn't know each other and send them to Grozny after 10 days of training
-establish sufficient supremacy when attacking Grozny (6:1)
-put infantry in IFVs
-give AFVs ammo from their MGs
-if you paln to thrust toward centre of city do it from all three sides and follow it up. Make sure commanders aren't celebrating and/or drunk
-prepare Russian population, explain why you are attacking (nevermind if you are lying but make sure there are reasons out there)
-train officers in PR
-make sure you have secure communication equipment
-establish communication between MVD and army, amke sure they don't shoot at each other
-prepare for urban warfare
-seal Grozny from the south (no, fighters will not withdraw south after they see Russian tanks, they will move reinforcements from there)
-seal borders, increase security along Chechen-Russian border
-prevent attrocities by troops, avoid filtration camps, avoid indiscriminate fire
-if you have to use army make sure you have reasons to do so

[Archangel Michael]

What is Checnya's current status (nation, autonmous region in Russia, occupied with no government)?

[aktarian]

Originally Posted by Mikey

What is Checnya's current status (nation, autonmous region in Russia, occupied with no government)?

Occupied region with puppet governemnt elected under rigged elections.

[Archangel Michael]

Thanks, aktarian.