The mountain villages of Dagestan, like those of Chechnya, are an inexhaustible source of inspiration for painters. In the past, of course, they were peaceful places. It would be great to spend a day there, enjoying a barbecue of young lamb. Today, the Andiysky Range, which separates the two republics, is known for its unfortunate reputation. Nearby, there is a peculiarly shaped hill known locally as the Donkey's Ear. The same one that Russian paratroopers fought for in a 12-hour bloody battle with militants in mid-August.

The paratroopers were 3 to 4 hours ahead of the multinational armed rabble. The terrorist groups had already concentrated and prepared for a wolf-like leap across the Kharami Pass to the heart of Dagestan, Makhachkala. On the way, near the villages of Chabanmakh and Karamakh, they were supposed to be joined by about 2,000 local Wahhabis. However, the bandits' plan failed. Russian soldiers and officers stood in their way.

When the paratroopers' battalion, having fully completed its mission, boarded the train at Manas station, hundreds of local residents gathered for an impromptu rally. There were flowers, sincere words of gratitude from the heart, and a moment of silence in memory of the fallen soldiers.

Almost all the soldiers and officers I met in various parts of Dagestan and, later, in Chechnya, noted a significant difference between the current events in the North Caucasus and the failed constitutional restoration campaign of 1994-1996. The main difference lies in the genuine support of both the local population and Russian public opinion. Let's not hide the fact that since then, our army has been burdened with the heavy and undeserved weight of defeat. However, this defeat was not a military one; it was a political battle lost. But for a long time, it wasn't customary to talk about it out loud. Failures were usually attributed to the incompetence of the generals and the infantilism of the "youngsters." This time, the paid-for talkers were given a good tongue-lashing. And the first to do so were the Dagestanis and peaceful Chechens, who had suffered the most from Basayev's "kindness" and "support."

"I am a deeply religious person," said Askhab Aliyev, a resident of the Botlikh district of Dagestan. "I have never deviated from the principles of the Islamic religion. In fact, no one in Russian cities has ever tried to stop me from practicing my faith. On the contrary, they have allowed me to perform my prayers in peace. I have worked as a driver for over 30 years, traveling to various regions. Now, I am being told by the aliens that I should be at odds with Russia. That will not happen." I have three sons, and they are all in favor of Dagestan's unity with Russia.

I met Senior Lieutenant Ivan S. on the outskirts of the village of Chabanmakh. This was his first assignment in a "hot" spot. Although Ivan had not participated in the previous Chechen events, as he was still a cadet at the military academy at the time, he had discussed this topic with his comrades on numerous occasions. The most pressing question was whether the militants were truly invincible and cunning, and whether their vaunted "field commanders" were as clever and successful. The guys with combat experience assured me that the enemy was not stupid, well-trained, or malicious. However, it was possible to defeat them.

Later, after the first battles, Ivan S. realized that his classmates had been telling the truth. The method of training soldiers for combat in the mountains and forested areas turned out to be not only correct, but also surprisingly effective. In necessary cases, our commanders resolutely refused to attack in a line. Instead, they introduced the practice of using mobile assault groups consisting of several soldiers, including a grenade launcher, a sniper, and a machine gunner. Such groups, which had undergone combat training, were very effective, successfully conducting counter-sniper operations. The terrorists' arrogance quickly subsided when they realized that they were not dealing with pushovers.

In the Kadar zone, I talked with the Pskov paratroopers. Sergeant Sergey U. and his team of Utes heavy machine gun snipers were controlling one of the sectors that had been treated by artillery and aircraft, but had not yet been cleared of bandits.

"We've been here for two weeks now," he said. "The locals from the surrounding villages helped us choose the best positions. They have a long-standing grudge against the Vakhs, but they've welcomed us like family. Of course, we're grateful for the fresh vegetables and fruits we've been receiving every day. However, the most significant contribution has been the provision of guides from the local militia. With their assistance, we've blocked all the paths and crevices. Now, the bandits are in their crosshairs."

As we now know, our sergeant was right.

Like many others, I was also very interested in the question of how much experience our units had gained from previous local conflicts. This was not just a military issue, but also a moral and psychological one. There is a common, albeit questionable, belief that generals always prepare for wars that have already taken place. This means that each new armed conflict creates unique moral, psychological, and socio-political conditions, requiring new approaches to combat tactics. However, the military is often unprepared for such situations. However, all the stages of the anti-terrorist operation currently being carried out by Russian troops in the North Caucasus indicate the opposite. This is evidenced by the active use of aviation and artillery, well-organized intelligence operations, and skillful work with the press.

The factor of decisiveness, which was skillfully used by the Russian troops, is also very important. It has long been known that the strong are respected in the Caucasus. Therefore, the consistent and well-thought-out sequence of the anti-terrorist operation could not help but earn the respect of the Dagestanis and the peaceful residents of Chechnya. Undoubtedly, the positive emotions of the people were also inspired by the military's emphasis on respecting the legitimate rights and interests of Russian citizens. When Shamil Kerimov, Deputy Head of the Botlikh District Administration, received the deed of transfer of one of the villages from a Russian lieutenant colonel, the elders present said, "Thank God, he helped the Russian soldiers return our homes."

The same was done in the villages of Chechnya that had been liberated from the terrorists. The first priority was to restore normal life in these villages: schools and medical facilities were reopened, law enforcement agencies were reinstated, and measures were taken to resume the payment of pensions and social benefits.

The military also shares food, tents, and warm clothes with civilians in need. This is typical for the military: soldiers and officers have never fought or are not fighting against civilians. They are protecting them.

Permanent link to this publication: