Battle of Bamut

Not to be confused with Battle of Bakhmut.

Battle of Bamut
Part of the First Chechen War

Russian soldier at Bamut
Date10 March 1995 – 24 May 1996
Location
Bamut, Chechnya
Result Russian victory
Territorial
changes		 Bamut captured by Russian forces[1]: 192 
Belligerents
 Russia Chechnya Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
Commanders and leaders
Russia Vladimir Shamanov
Units involved
  • Galanchozh Regiment
  • Khaikoroev Battalion
  • Amriev's "Assa" Detachment[2][3]
Strength
2,610[2] 100[1]: 190  to 1,000[4]: 624 
Casualties and losses
Minor[4]: 624  350 dead[2]

The Battle of Bamut[a] took place on 10 March 1995 to 24 May 1996. As a result of long fighting, after two unsuccessful assaults and bloody positional battles, the Russians occupied the village. The fighting around the city led to its complete destruction.[5]

Battle

In Spring 1995 during the First Chechen War, much of the significant cities and areas had been captured by the Russian army, leaving Bamut as one of the last Chechen controlled area in the lowlands. On 10 March 1995, fierce battles began for the village of Bamut. Several attacks on the village by the Russian army had already failed, leaving the tanks and armored vehicles to litter in the streets.[6] The core defense of the village was made up of fighters primarily from the village and surrounding areas most notably under the command of Khizir Khachukaev.[6] "The approaches to the village and its main streets were mined with anti-tank and anti-personnel mines. Some of the firing points were covered with reinforced concrete."[7][8] In April, the Russians again tried to storm the village and the heights, due to poor coordination and weak Artillery training, the assault failed, federal troops lost 18 people in the village and 10 on lysaya mountain.[9]

A pause in the hostilities was achieved in July 1995 as a result of the events in Budyonnovsk.[6][8] Chechen fighters tried to carry out local offensives against Russian positions in April 1996, they lost 10 people in these battles, and the Russians lost 8.[9] On 24 May 1996, the Russian army finally gained control of Bamut and the height 444.4 — "Bald Mountain".[9] Ruslan Khaikhoroev's detachment defending Bamut broke out of the Russian encirclement, taking advantage of the twilight and the thickening fog.[8] The Chechen troops were completely defeated, they only lost 350 people killed, several tanks and russian captured several mortars.[2] Despite this, due to the long resistance of the smaller garrison, a legend about the "fortress of Bamut" arose around the city, which was perceived by Chechen society as a symbol of independence.[1]: 192 

In works of art

  • "Бамут" - a song by Musa Nasagaev.
  • "Бамут" - a song by Timur Mutsurayev.
  • "Я убит под Бамутом" - a song written by Russian soldiers of the military unit 5598 26 BON in 1996.

References

  1. ^ a b c Smith, Sebastian (1998). Allah's mountains: The battle for Chechnya. Taurice Parke Paperbacks. ISBN 978-1-85043-979-0.
  2. ^ a b c d Grodnensky, Nikolai. "Почти победа" [Almost a victory]. Неоконченная война: История вооружённого конфликта в Чечне [The Unfinished War: History of the Armed conflict in Chechnya] (in Russian). Харвест. ISBN 985-13-1454-4.
  3. ^ Billingsley, Dodge. Fangs of the Lone Wolf. p. 30.
  4. ^ a b Grodnensky, Nikolai (2007). Первая Чеченская война [First Chechen War] (in Russian). ФАУинфо. ISBN 978-9-8567-2110-9.
  5. ^ Kubanek, Bettina; Maaß, Ekkehard (2006). Chechnya - War and history. p. 34.
  6. ^ a b c Billingsley, Dodge. Fangs of the Lone Wolf. p. 27.
  7. ^ Evdokimov, Pavel. "AMNESTY FOR "SHEIKH"".
  8. ^ a b c "Chronicle of the First Chechen war". Kommersant. 11 December 2017.
  9. ^ a b c Norin, Evgeniy (5 August 2021). Осада. Бамут в 1995-1996 [The siege. Bamut in 1995-1996]. Контингент (in Russian).

Notes

  1. ^ Russian: Битва за Бамут, romanized: Bitwa za Bamut