Editing Second Chechen War (section)

===Human rights and war crimes===
{{Main|Chechen genocide|Russian war crimes|Second Chechen War crimes and terrorism}}
The Second Chechen War saw a new wave of [[war crime]]s and violation of [[international humanitarian law]]. Both sides have been criticised by international organizations of violating the [[Geneva Conventions]]. However, a report by Human Rights Watch states that without minimizing the abuses committed by Chechen fighters, the main reason for civilian suffering in the Second Chechen War came as a result of the abuses committed by the Russian forces on the civilian population.<ref name="warcrimesresponseofwest">{{cite web |date=29 February 2000 |title=War crimes in Chechnya and the response of the West |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2000/02/29/war-crimes-chechnya-and-response-west |access-date=14 May 2022 |website=Human Rights Watch |archive-date=2 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102073333/https://www.hrw.org/news/2000/02/29/war-crimes-chechnya-and-response-west |url-status=live }}</ref>  According to [[Amnesty International]], Chechen civilians have been purposely targeted by Russian forces, in apparent disregard of humanitarian law. The situation has been described by Amnesty International as a Russian campaign to punish an entire [[ethnic group]], on the pretext of "fighting crime and terrorism".<ref>{{cite web |title=Reported grave breaches of international humanitarian law. |url=http://www.amnesty.org/ailib/intcam/chechnya/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010619210713/http://www.amnesty.org/ailib/intcam/chechnya/ |archive-date=19 June 2001 |website=Amnesty International}}</ref> Russian forces have throughout the campaign ignored to follow their Geneva convention obligations, and has taken little responsibility of protecting the civilian population.<ref name="warcrimesresponseofwest" /> Amnesty International stated in their 2001 report that Chechen civilians, including medical personnel, have been the target of military attacks by Russian forces, and hundreds of Chechen civilians and prisoners of war are extrajudicially executed.<ref>[http://web.amnesty.org/web/ar2001.nsf/webeurcountries/RUSSIAN+Federation?OpenDocument Russian Federation 2001 Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010627213218/http://web.amnesty.org/web/ar2001.nsf/webeurcountries/RUSSIAN+Federation?OpenDocument |date=27 June 2001 }} [[Amnesty International]]  {{Cite web |url=http://web.amnesty.org/web/ar2001.nsf/webeurcountries/RUSSIAN%2BFederation?OpenDocument |title=Russian Federation. In: Amnesty International Report 2001 |access-date=24 May 2017 |archive-date=14 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114184928/http://web.amnesty.org/web/ar2001.nsf/webeurcountries/RUSSIAN%2BFederation?OpenDocument |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>

According to human rights activists, Russian troops systematically committed the following crimes in Chechnya: the destruction of cities and villages, not justified by military necessity; shelling and bombardment of unprotected settlements; summary extrajudicial executions and killings of civilians; torture, ill-treatment and infringement of human dignity; serious bodily harm intentionally inflicted on persons not directly participating in hostilities; deliberate strikes against the civilian population, civilian and medical vehicles; illegal detentions of the civilian population and enforced disappearances; looting and destruction of civilian and public property; extortion; taking hostages for ransom; corpse trade.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Le Huérou |first1=A. |last2=Regamey |first2=A. |date=11 October 2012 |title=Massacres de civils en Tchétchénie |url=https://www.sciencespo.fr/mass-violence-war-massacre-resistance/fr/document/massacres-de-civils-en-tcha-tcha-nie |access-date=8 August 2022 |website=SciencesPo |language=fr |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403213838/https://www.sciencespo.fr/mass-violence-war-massacre-resistance/fr/document/massacres-de-civils-en-tcha-tcha-nie |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite periodical |last1=Divac Öberg |first1=M. |year=2004 |title=Le suivi par le Conseil de l'Europe du conflit en Tchétchénie |url=https://www.persee.fr/doc/afdi_0066-3085_2004_num_50_1_3820 |language=fr |location=Paris |publisher=CNRS Éditions |volume=50 |pages=758–759, 762 |periodical=Annuaire français de droit international |access-date=13 December 2022 |archive-date=21 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421043945/https://www.persee.fr/doc/afdi_0066-3085_2004_num_50_1_3820 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Дмитриевский |first1=С. М. |url=https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/system/uploads/article_attachment/attach/0001/15746/Mezhdunarodnyy_tribunal_dlya_Chechni._Tom_II.pdf |title=Международный трибунал для Чечни: Правовые перспективы привлечения к индивидуальной уголовной ответственности лиц, подозреваемых в совершении военных преступлений и преступлений против человечности в ходе вооруженного конфликта в Чеченской Республике |last2=Гварели |first2=Б. И. |last3=Челышева |first3=О. А. |year=2009b |volume=2 |location=Нижний Новгород |pages=16–17, 22–26, 29–35, 55–56, 58–60, 62–65, 67, 104–105, 113, 130, 161, 175, 206, 226, 230, 339, 349–350, 378, 380, 388, 405, 474–475, 508 |language=ru |access-date=13 December 2022 |archive-date=31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331215739/https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/system/uploads/article_attachment/attach/0001/15746/Mezhdunarodnyy_tribunal_dlya_Chechni._Tom_II.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> There were also rapes,{{sfn|Дмитриевский|Гварели|Челышева|2009b|pp=23, 71, 73, 74, 76, 325–329, 339}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Baiev |first1=Kh. |title=Le serment tchétchène: Un chirurgien dans la guerre |collaboration=with Ruth et Nicholas Daniloff |publisher=Jean-Claude Lattès |year=2005 |isbn=2-7096-2644-6 |location=Paris |pages=167, 312–313, 325, 413 |language=fr |translator-last1=Baranger |translator-first1=L. |author-link=Khassan Baiev}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.omct.org/files/2004/05/2321/chechnya_russe.pdf |title=Чечня: без средств для жизни: Оценка нарушения экономических, социальных и культурных прав в Чеченской республике |publisher=Всемирная организация против пыток |year=2004 |isbn=2-88477-070-4 |location=Женева |pages=35 |language=ru |access-date=13 December 2022 |archive-date=31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331065149/http://www.omct.org/files/2004/05/2321/chechnya_russe.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> which, along with women, were committed against men.<ref name="Mandeville">{{cite web |last1=Мандевиль |first1=Л. |date=25 March 2002 |title=Глухое молчание Запада в ответ на геноцид чеченского народа: Запад изменяет отношение к Чечне |url=https://inosmi.ru/untitled/20020325/140373.html |access-date=8 August 2022 |website=ИноСМИ |language=ru |archive-date=12 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312113312/https://inosmi.ru/20020325/140373.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Sylvaine |first1=P. |last2=Alexandra |first2=S. |date=23 March 2000 |title=Grozny, ville fantôme |url=https://www.lexpress.fr/informations/grozny-ville-fantome_637256.html |access-date=8 August 2022 |website=L'Express |language=fr |archive-date=21 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421044301/https://www.lexpress.fr/informations/grozny-ville-fantome_637256.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Allaman |first1=J. |title=La guerre de Tchétchénie ou l'irrésistible ascension de Vladimir Poutine |publisher=Georg Éditeur |year=2000 |isbn=2-8257-0703-1 |location=Genève |pages=114 |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Бовкун |first1=Е. |date=25 February 2000 |title=Видеозапись зверств российских войск в Чечне и реакция на неё в Германии |url=http://www.svoboda.org/a/24220678.html |access-date=8 August 2022 |website=Радио Свобода |language=ru |archive-date=9 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409220502/https://www.svoboda.org/a/24220678.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Политковская |first1=А. |author-link=Anna Politkovskaya |date=6 February 2001 |title=Концлагерь с коммерческим уклоном: Отчёт о командировке в зону |url=https://politkovskaya.novayagazeta.ru/pub/2001/2001-14.shtml |access-date=8 August 2022 |website=Новая газета |language=ru |archive-date=21 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421043946/https://politkovskaya.novayagazeta.ru/pub/2001/2001-14.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Бабицкий |first1=А. |author-link=Andrei Babitsky |date=6 August 2001 |title=Кавказские хроники |url=https://www.svoboda.org/a/24201983.html |access-date=8 August 2022 |website=Радио Свобода |language=ru |archive-date=21 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421044304/https://www.svoboda.org/a/24201983.html |url-status=live }}</ref> According to the Minister of Health of Ichkeria, Umar Khanbiev, Russian forces committed [[Organ procurement|organ harvesting]] and [[organ trade]] during the conflict.<ref>{{cite news |title=Изъятие внутренних органов у заложников в Чечне Источник |url=https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/36730 |access-date=15 December 2022 |publisher=Кавказский Узел |date=14 March 2003 |language=ru |archive-date=14 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214204452/https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/36730/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Russian forces have since the beginning of the conflict indiscriminately and disproportionately bombed and shelled civilian objects, resulting in heavy civilian casualties. In one such occasion in October 1999, ten powerful hypersonic missiles fell without warning and targeted the city's only maternity hospital, post office, mosque, and a crowded market.<ref name="odds">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/482193.stm Russians at odds over market attack] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330193430/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/482193.stm |date=30 March 2023 }}, [[BBC News]], 22 October 1999</ref><ref name="disarray">[https://www.theguardian.com/world/1999/oct/23/chechnya.ameliagentleman Russians in disarray over Grozny strike] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824021603/https://www.theguardian.com/world/1999/oct/23/chechnya.ameliagentleman|date=24 August 2013}}, ''[[The Guardian]]'', 23 October 1999</ref><ref>[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-nov-07-mn-31029-story.html Chechens Believe Russia's Aim Is to Obliterate Nation], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', 7 November 1999</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=22 October 1999 |title=Russian rockets hit Grozny market |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/1999/oct/22/chechnya.ameliagentleman |access-date=15 May 2022 |website=The Guardian |archive-date=15 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515164432/https://www.theguardian.com/world/1999/oct/22/chechnya.ameliagentleman |url-status=live }}</ref> Most of the casualties occurred at the central market, and the attack is estimated to have killed over 100 instantly and injuring up to 400 others.  Similar incidents include the [[Baku–Rostov highway bombing]] where the [[Russian Air Force]] perpetrated repeated rocket attacks on a large convoy of refugees trying to enter [[Ingushetia]] through a supposed "safe exit".<ref>{{cite web |title=A Summary of Human Rights Watch Research on Attacks on Fleeing Civilians and Civilian Convoys during the War in Chechnya, Russia between October 1999 to February 2000 |url=https://www.hrw.org/legacy/backgrounder/eca/chechnya0403/1.htm |website=Human Rights Watch |access-date=14 December 2022 |archive-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308194454/https://www.hrw.org/legacy/backgrounder/eca/chechnya0403/1.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=A Summary of Human Rights Watch Research on Attacks on Fleeing Civilians and Civilian Convoys during the War in Chechnya, Russia between October 1999 to February 2000 |url=https://www.hrw.org/legacy/backgrounder/eca/chechnya0403/6.htm |website=Human Rights Watch |access-date=14 December 2022 |archive-date=14 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214204401/https://www.hrw.org/legacy/backgrounder/eca/chechnya0403/6.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> This was repeated in December 1999 when Russian soldiers [[1999 Grozny refugee convoy shooting|opened fire on a refugee convoy marked with white flags]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/549893.stm 'Russians fired on refugees'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224005421/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/549893.stm|date=24 February 2022}} [[BBC News]], 4 December 1999</ref>

The [[Battle of Grozny (1999–2000)|1999–2000 siege and bombardments of Grozny]] caused between 5,000<ref>{{cite web| last=Jenkinson| first=Brett C.| year=2002| title=Tactical Observations from the Grozny Combat Experience, p.74| url=http://smallwarsjournal.com/documents/jenkinson.pdf| publisher=United States Military Academy, West Point, New York| access-date=13 December 2022| archive-date=11 February 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211181715/http://smallwarsjournal.com/documents/jenkinson.pdf| url-status=live}}</ref> and 8,000<ref>{{cite book|title=The Post-Soviet Wars: Rebellion, Ethnic Conflict, and Nationhood in the Caucasus|first=Christoph|last=Zürcher|author-link=Christoph Zürcher|publisher=NYU Press|year=2007|isbn=9780814797099|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kNoVCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA100|page=100|access-date=13 December 2022|archive-date=12 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312113732/https://books.google.com/books?id=kNoVCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA100#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> civilians to perish.  The Russian army issued an ultimatum during the Grozny-siege urging Chechens to leave the city or be destroyed without mercy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russia Warns Civilians in Chechnya |url=https://apnews.com/article/02b63bc318b64ac6893a700769d75158 |access-date=2 March 2022 |website=AP NEWS |language=en |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302220409/https://apnews.com/article/02b63bc318b64ac6893a700769d75158 |url-status=live }}</ref> Around 300 people were killed while trying to escape in October 1999 and subsequently buried in a mass grave.<ref>[https://www.rferl.org/a/Watchdog_Alleges_Mass_Grave_In_Chechnya/1181240.html Watchdog alleges mass grave in Russia's Chechnya] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213013056/https://www.rferl.org/a/Watchdog_Alleges_Mass_Grave_In_Chechnya/1181240.html |date=13 December 2022 }}, [[Reuters]], 1 July 2008</ref> The bombing of Grozny included banned Buratino thermobaric and fuel-air bombs, igniting the air of civilians hiding in basements.<ref name="Grozny and Aleppo">{{cite web |date=24 November 2016 |title=Grozny and Aleppo: a look at the historical parallels |url=https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/grozny-and-aleppo-a-look-at-the-historical-parallels-1.211868 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226035341/https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/grozny-and-aleppo-a-look-at-the-historical-parallels-1.211868 |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=18 November 2018 |publisher=The National}}</ref><ref name="Grozny Rules in Aleppo">{{cite web |last=Galeotti |first=Mark |date=29 September 2016 |title=Putin Is Playing by Grozny Rules in Aleppo |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/09/29/putin-is-playing-by-chechen-rules-in-aleppo-syria-russia/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012234150/http://foreignpolicy.com/2016/09/29/putin-is-playing-by-chechen-rules-in-aleppo-syria-russia/ |archive-date=12 October 2016 |access-date=18 November 2018 |publisher=Foreign Policy}}</ref> There were also reports of the use of chemical weapons, banned according to Geneva law.<ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome to Chechnya. Welcome to hell |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/1999/dec/10/chechnya |access-date=13 December 2022 |website=The Guardian |date=10 December 1999 |archive-date=13 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213005100/https://www.theguardian.com/world/1999/dec/10/chechnya |url-status=live }}</ref> The Russian president Putin vowed that the military would not stop bombing Grozny until Russian troops quote 'fulfilled their task to the end.'  In 2003, the [[United Nations]] called Grozny the most destroyed city on Earth.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/6414603.stm Scars remain amid Chechen revival] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207015130/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/6414603.stm |date=7 December 2017 }}, BBC News, 3 March 2007</ref>

Another occasion of indiscriminate and perhaps deliberate bombardment is the [[bombing of Katyr-Yurt]] which occurred on 4–6 February 2000. The village of Katyr Yurt was far from the war's front line, and jam-packed with refugees. It was untouched on the morning of 4 February when Russian aircraft, helicopters, fuel-air bombs and Grad missiles pulverised the village. After the bombing the Russian army allowed buses in, and allowed a white-flag refugee convoy to leave after which they bombed that as well.<ref>{{cite web |title=Revealed: Russia's worst war crime in Chechnya |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/mar/05/russia.chechnya |access-date=10 December 2022 |website=The Guardian |date=5 March 2000 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210184132/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/mar/05/russia.chechnya |url-status=live }}</ref> Banned [[thermobaric weapon]]s were fired on the village of [[Katyr-Yurt]]. Hundreds of civilians died as a result of the Russian bombardment and the following sweep after.<ref>{{cite web |date=5 March 2000 |title=Revealed: Russia's worst war crime in Chechnya |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/mar/05/russia.chechnya |access-date=15 May 2022 |website=The Guardian |archive-date=15 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515164433/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/mar/05/russia.chechnya |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Eyewitness: Chechnya's war goes on |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/673114.stm |access-date=15 May 2022 |website=BBC News |archive-date=7 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007001636/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/673114.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Thermobaric weapons have been used by the Russian army on several occasions according to [[Human Rights Watch]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Chechnya Conflict: Use of Vacuum Bombs by Russian Forces |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2000/02/01/chechnya-conflict-use-vacuum-bombs-russian-forces |access-date=15 May 2022 |website=Human Rights Watch |date=February 2000 |archive-date=1 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301010430/https://www.hrw.org/news/2000/02/01/chechnya-conflict-use-vacuum-bombs-russian-forces |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the [[Alkhan-Yurt massacre]] where Russian soldiers went on a murdering spree throughout the village and summarily executing, raping, torturing, looting, burning and killing anyone in their way. Nearly all the killings were committed by Russian soldiers who were looting.''<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=NO HAPPINESS REMAINS" CIVILIAN KILLINGS, PILLAGE, AND RAPE IN ALKHAN-YURT, CHECHNYA |url=https://www.hrw.org/legacy/reports/2000/russia_chechnya2/ |access-date=10 December 2022 |website=Human Rights Watch |archive-date=10 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210181954/https://www.hrw.org/legacy/reports/2000/russia_chechnya2/ |url-status=live }}</ref>'' Civilian attempts to stop the killings were often met with death.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/28/AR2007032802068.html Bush Meets Russian Faulted For Atrocities] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615000708/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/28/AR2007032802068.html|date=15 June 2021}}, ''[[Washington Post]]'', 29 March 2007</ref> There has been no serious attempt conducted by the Russian authorities to bring to justice those accountable for the crimes committed at Alkhan-Yurt. Credible testimony suggests that Russian leadership in the region had knowledge of what was happening and simply chose to ignore it.<ref name=":0" /> Russian military leadership dismissed the incident as "fairy tales", claiming that the bodies were planted and the slaughter fabricated in order to damage the reputation of Russian troops.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bush Meets Russian Faulted For Atrocities |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/28/AR2007032802068.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615000708/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/28/AR2007032802068.html |access-date=12 December 2022 |newspaper=Washington post|archive-date=15 June 2021 }}</ref> Russian general [[Vladimir Shamanov]] dismissed accountability for the abuses in the village saying "''Don't you dare touch the soldiers and officers of the Russian army. They are doing a sacred thing today-they are defending Russia. And don't you dare sully the Russian soldier with your dirty hands!"<ref name=":0" />''

In what is regarded as one of gravest [[war crime]]s in the war, Russian federal forces went on a village-sweep ([[zachistka]]), that involved [[summary execution]]s of dozens of people, [[murder]], [[looting]], [[arson]] and [[rape]] of Chechens (including committing other crimes) in what is known as the [[Novye Aldi massacre]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Russia Condemned for Chechnya Killings |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2006/10/12/russia-condemned-chechnya-killings |access-date=12 December 2022 |website=Human Rights Watch |date=12 October 2006 |archive-date=12 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212233309/https://www.hrw.org/news/2006/10/12/russia-condemned-chechnya-killings |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=February 5: A Day of Slaughter in Novye Aldi |url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/2000/russia_chechnya3/chech-summary.htm |access-date=15 May 2022 |website=Human Rights Watch |archive-date=11 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611023400/https://www.hrw.org/reports/2000/russia_chechnya3/chech-summary.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="court2">[http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/07/26/news/russia.php European court assails Russia over killings in Chechnya] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070906215807/http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/07/26/news/russia.php |date=6 September 2007 }}, ''[[International Herald Tribune]]'', 26 July 2007</ref> Russian troops had [[Cluster munition|cluster-bombed]] the village a day prior before entering the village, telling local residents to come out from their cellars for inspection the next day.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |title=Russian atrocities in Chechnya detailed |url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/AllDocsByUNID/45d2165b40636215c12568f20052f83c |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070404034227/http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/AllDocsByUNID/45d2165b40636215c12568f20052f83c |access-date=12 December 2022 |website=Reliefweb|archive-date=4 April 2007 }}</ref> Upon entering the village, Russian soldiers shot their victims in cold blood, with automatic fire at close range. Victims ranged from a one-year-old babies to an 82-year-old woman. Victims were asked for money or jewelry by Russian soldiers, which served as a pretext for their execution if the amount was insufficient. Federal soldiers removed gold teeth from their victims and looted their corpses. Killings were accompanied by [[arson]] in an attempt to destroy evidence of [[summary execution]]s and other civilian killings. There were several cases of rape. In one incident, Russian soldiers [[gang rape]]d several women before [[strangling]] them to death. Pillage on a massive scale took place in the village, with Russian soldiers stripping the houses of civilians in broad daylight. Any attempt to make the Russian authorities take responsibilities for the massacre resulted in indignant denial. [[Human Rights Watch]] described the Russian authorities' response as "typical". A spokesperson from the [[Ministry of Defence (Russia)|Russian Ministry of Defence]] declared that "''these assertions are nothing but a concoction not supported by fact or any proof . . . [and] should be seen as a provocation whose goal is to discredit the federal forces' operation against the terrorists in Chechnya.''"<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /> An eye-witness also said that investigators from the [[Federal Security Service (Russia)|Federal Security Service]] told her the massacre was probably committed by Chechen fighters "disguised as federal troops".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121019204517/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-45880914.html Witness to Aldi Massacre Tells Story of Terror], ''[[The Moscow Times]]'', 11 July 2000</ref>{{Campaignbox Second Chechen War civilian attacks}}

Western European rights groups estimate there have been about 5,000 [[forced disappearance]]s in Chechnya since 1999.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5219254.stm|title=Russia censured over Chechen man|work=BBC News|access-date=20 May 2015|archive-date=10 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110111001/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5219254.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Dozens of [[Mass graves in Chechnya|mass graves]] containing hundreds of corpses have been uncovered since the start of the Chechen conflict. As of June 2008, there were 57 registered locations of mass graves in Chechnya.<ref name="afp">[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/21/world/europe/21briefs-CHECHENMASSG_BRF.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss Russia: Chechen Mass Grave Found] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016233611/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/21/world/europe/21briefs-CHECHENMASSG_BRF.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss|date=16 October 2015}}, [[Agence France-Presse]], 21 June 2008</ref> According to [[Amnesty International]], thousands may be buried in unmarked graves including the 5,000 civilians who disappeared since the beginning of the Second Chechen War in 1999.<ref>[http://www.jamestown.org/chechnya_weekly/article.php?articleid=2373419 Amnesty International Issues Reports on Disappearances] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010022751/http://www.jamestown.org/chechnya_weekly/article.php?articleid=2373419|date=10 October 2008}}, [[The Jamestown Foundation]], 24 May 2007</ref> In 2008, the largest mass grave found to date was uncovered in Grozny, containing some 800 bodies from the First Chechen War in 1995.<ref name="afp" /> Russia's general policy to the Chechen mass graves is to not [[exhumation|exhume]] them.<ref name="reminder">[http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/04/29/europe/journal.php A vexing reminder of war in Chechnya's booming capital]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618191731/http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/04/29/europe/journal.php|date=18 June 2008}}, ''[[International Herald Tribune]]'', 29 April 2008</ref>

American Secretary of State [[Madeleine Albright]] noted in her 24 March 2000 speech to the [[United Nations Commission on Human Rights]]:<blockquote>
:We cannot ignore the fact that thousands of Chechen civilians have died and more than 200,000 have been driven from their homes. Together with other delegations, we have expressed our alarm at the persistent, credible reports of human rights violations by Russian forces in Chechnya, including [[Extrajudicial punishment|extrajudicial killings]]. There are also reports that Chechen separatists have committed abuses, including the killing of civilians and prisoners.... The war in Chechnya has greatly damaged Russia's international standing and is isolating Russia from the international community. Russia's work to repair that damage, both at home and abroad, or its choice to risk further isolating itself, is the most immediate and momentous challenge that Russia faces.<ref>[http://geneva.usmission.gov/press2000/0427chechnya.html U.S. Response to Human Rights Commission Resolution on Chechnya] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906094913/http://geneva.usmission.gov/press2000/0427chechnya.html |date=6 September 2008 }}  U.S. Mission Geneva</ref>
</blockquote>
The Russian government failed to pursue any accountability process for [[human rights abuses]] committed during the course of the conflict in Chechnya. Unable to secure justice domestically, hundreds of victims of abuse have filed applications with the [[European Court of Human Rights]] (ECHR). In March 2005 the court issued the first rulings on Chechnya, finding the Russian government guilty of violating the right to life and even the prohibition of torture with respect to civilians who had died or forcibly disappeared at the hands of Russia's federal troops.<ref>[http://iwpr.net/?p=crs&s=f&o=239843&apc_state=henicrs2005 European Court Rules Against Moscow] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319220430/http://iwpr.net/?p=crs&s=f&o=239843&apc_state=henicrs2005 |date=19 March 2016 }} [[Institute for War and Peace Reporting]], 2 March 2005M</ref> Many similar claims were ruled since against Russia.