The ‘counter‐terrorist operation’ in Chechnya: ‘Information warfare’ aspects

Abstract

This article focuses on the information warfare aspects of the Second Russo‐Chechen campaign (1999–). It demonstrates Russia's enhanced information warfare fighting capability and effectiveness. However, the creation and consolidation of a psychological environment in favour of the campaign, the imposition of an ‘information blockade’ and federal media management reorganisation was countered by both Chechen responses (particularly the exploitation of the Internet as an ‘information weapon') and internal Russian press criticism of the war. It concludes by arguing that the Russo‐Chechen ‘information war’ provides a leitmotif for contemporary Russian security politics: it resonates and reflects larger trends in Russia's systemic transformation.