Wars by any other name: Yeltsin’s ‘restoration of constitutional order’ and Putin’s ‘counter-terrorist operation’

The Chechen wars of 1994-1996 and 1999 to date have played a significant role in determining the outcome of Russia’s three post-Soviet presidential elections, and, insofar as Vladimir Putin was Boris Yeltsin’s nominated successor, effectively thrice (1996, 2000 and 2004) saved the presidency from the so-called ‘redblack’ coalition of communists and nationalists. Others have pointed out that it has been precisely the two Chechen campaigns that have set back prospects for Russia’s transition to democracy.2