Chechen glossary

Any aggression is always accompanied by informational warfare. The aggressor tries to switch terms and concepts and thereby give a distorted picture of what is really happening. Massive propaganda and use of pre-designated labels are supposed to disguise the reality and pass lies for the truth. The classic example of such tactics is the Kremlin’s propaganda campaign in the Caucasus. Regular reader of Kavkaz Center Alexei Ivanenko sent his own view at some moments of the terminological warfare, which the Kremlin is conducting in Ichkeria.

Chechen glossary

Antiterrorist operation - official name of the Second Russian-Chechen War (1999 to present). Emphasis has been made to present the conquest of a neighboring state (Republic of Ichkeria) as fighting against terrorists inside the country.

Bandit - a Chechen soldier (see Militant).

Chopper - a helicopter. Troops of Russian invaders have been actively using MI-8 and MI-24 helicopters in Chechnya.

Cleansing (or inspection of passport status) - a set of punitive measures accompanied by pillaging and robberies and aimed at intimidation and killing of civilian population, who sympathize with the Chechen Resistance.

Combined Rapid Deployment Unit (SOBR) - raiders, butchers.

Commandos, paratroopers - stormtroopers, members of special units of the troops of Russian invaders.

Contracted serviceman - Russian mercenary; soldier fighting for money (by the contract).

Czechs - army name for Chechens.

Eliminate - to kill. Emphasis made to lull moral responsibility for the crime.

Federals - the name by which soldiers and mercenaries of troops of Russian invaders are calling themselves.

Field commander - official name for a Chechen Commander (Amir), one of the leaders of the Chechen Resistance or a District Commandant in the Republic of Ichkeria; common name for Chechen military officers.

Foreign mercenary - a foreign fighter, a volunteer, participant of the Holy War (Jihad). A volunteer often has to pay big bribes to the border guards. Emphasis is designed to distort the true intentions of foreign warriors of Islam and present it like they are fighting for money like Russian contracted servicemen do.

Gang, gang formation - units of the Chechen Army or groups of militia (see Illegal armed formation).

Greenery - woodland as hideout of Chechen soldiers, Mujahideen, fighters, guerillas.

Illegal gang formation - (see Gang). Emphasis designed to attach criminal flavor to the conflict instead of political motives, even though Russian units have more of the right to be called «illegal gang formations».

Investigation holding facility - Russian concentration camp for captives or for local civilian population, who refuse to cooperate with the invaders’ administration. The investigation holding facility in Chernokozovo is most notorious. Analogue of Nazi concentration camps.

Militant, rebel - Chechen soldier, a Mujahid, a fighter, a militiaman, member of armed resistance, or sometimes just any adult Chechen.

Neutralize - to kill, to kidnap or to maim. Emphasis made to lull moral responsibility for the crime.

Ringleader of a gang formation - see Field commander.

Scumbag - official and army name for a Chechen who carried out a heroic exploit.

Special operation - bloody reprisal, punitive raid. Example: «8 militants have been killed during a special operation». The 'militants'  are really civilians.

Special police force (OMON) - raiders, members of Special Task Force Police Unit

'Spirits', 'ghosts' - Mujahideen, fighters, guerillas, who attack and disappear like mountain ghosts. This term came around back during the Afghan war (1979-1989).

Terrorists - name for participants of the Chechen Resistance (see Militant). Emphasis made to play on fear of the international community before terrorists like 'Red Brigades'.

'White pantyhose' - mythical female snipers from the Baltic States, who allegedly fought in the ranks of the Chechen Resistance during the First Russian-Chechen War (1994-1996). Emphasis on the image was probably evoked by masochistic fantasies of Russian leaders.

Alexei Ivanenko,