Chech·nya  (chěch'nē-ə, chěch-nyä')  A region of southwest Russia in the northern Caucasus bordering on Georgia. Conquered by Russia in the 19th century, it later formed part of the Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. Chechnya declared its independence from the USSR in 1991. Russian troops invaded in late 1994, and fighting stopped in 1996 with the withdrawal of Russian troops, but it resumed in 1999. Chech'nyan (-nē-ən, -nyän') adj. & n. |
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.