Aslan Maskhadov

president of Chechnya

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July 15, 2026

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Aslan Maskhadov was the president of Chechnya from 1997 to 2005. He was elected after the First Chechen War, which saw significant devastation and displacement in the republic. Maskhadov sought to establish Chechnya's independence from Russia, signing a provisional peace treaty in 1997 that left the question of Chechnya's ultimate status unresolved.1

The conflict in Chechnya resumed in late 1999, leading to renewed fighting and Russian military operations. Maskhadov was killed in 2005, and subsequent leadership in Chechnya has been backed by Russia.1

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Chechnya
History
…following year former guerrilla leader Aslan Maskhadov was elected president. Russian Pres. Boris Yeltsin and Maskhadov signed a provisional peace treaty in May 1997 but left the question of Chechnya’s eventual status undetermined. It was estimated that up to 100,000 people in Chechnya died and more than 400,000 were forced…
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…following year former guerrilla leader Aslan Maskhadov was elected president. Russian Pres. Boris Yeltsin and Maskhadov signed a provisional peace treaty in May 1997 but left the question of Chechnya’s eventual status undetermined. It was estimated that up to 100,000 people in Chechnya died and more than 400,000 were forced…
Read More