The war in Chechnya is over. The Kremlin will sign a decree on March 31 that would end the so-called ‘anti-terrorist operation’ in the area that began in October 1999 with the Russian incursion into Chechnya. Russia said it only wanted to neutralize the bandits that were holed up in Chechnya’s mountains. Kremlin justified the war as a campaign against terrorism, as well as an effort to avert the separation of the Chechen Republic from the federation. Russia also wanted its influence back in the region. Chechnya is undeniably crucial to Russia.

In reality, the financial crisis is a key reason behind the government’s decision to withdraw Russian troops from Chechnya. Russia accelerated the withdrawal of its troops because of the economic crisis “Keeping them there is very costly in the current economic conditions,” the Chechen leader said.

It was Putin, then Prime Minister, who ordered the entry of troops into the Chechen territory in 1999. The massive military campaign was heavily supported by Soviet-style official propaganda, calling it an anti-terrorist operation. Because of this, Putin’s popularity rose sharply, making him win the elections of 2000.

The decree to end the war will mean the lifting of the current limitations with regard to travel by the people of the Chechen territory.

According to military data, there are only between 50 and 70 rebels operating in the mountainous areas of Chechnya.

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Via BBC