Labazanov Ruslan: biography and details of the storming of Grozny

Labazanov Ruslan was one of the most prominent anti-Dudayev opposition figures in Chechnya. His activities are still contested and cause debate in society. Ruslan was a key figure during the start of the First Chechen War.

He took personal part in the fighting against radical Islamists. During the rebellion against the authorities, Dzhokhar Dudayev was supported by the Russian federal authorities.

Biography

Labazanov Ruslan was a Chechen by nationality, but was born (1967) and lived for a long time in the territory of Kazakhstan. Received an incomplete secondary education in school. After that I continued to study at the school. From childhood I was engaged in sports. By the age of eighteen was a candidate for the master of sports in boxing. He served in the Soviet Army. He was on an urgent service in a sports company in the territory of Belarus. After demobilization decides to continue studies. In Krasnodar, he enters the Institute of Physical Education. After graduating from the Faculty of Sports Medicine, he begins to work as a coach. Rapidly moving forward in the sports association. He holds the post of president, is responsible for martial arts. During his tenure in this position he creates a criminal group that is engaged in racketeering.

Start of activity

Little is known about this part of life. Somewhere in the early nineties Labazanov Ruslan is under arrest. Soon it is being transported to the territory of Chechnya. Most likely, it was not accidental, given that Ruslan probably had acquaintances both in the Grozny prison and outside.

At this time, riots begin in Chechnya. Nationalists and Islamists seize power in the region. Taking advantage of this situation, Labazanov Ruslan raises a rebellion in the prison, as a result of which he manages to go free. There, he approaches the leader of the Chechen nationalists, Dzhokhar Dudayev. In a fairly short period, he is included in the circle of proxies and becomes the head of the detachment of protection. Until 1994, he holds various positions in the government of the so-called Ichkeria.

Formation of a battalion

According to Dudayev's personal order, Labazanov Ruslan becomes an adviser "on ethnic issues." Immediately forms his own military detachment. In fighters, he enjoys great authority and maintains strict discipline. According to some sources, Labazanov was a mediator in schemes for the illegal sale of weapons.

In the spring of 1994, there is a conflict between Labazanov and Dudayev, which leads to a shootout. As a result of a short fight, Ruslan gets to the hospital, where he decides to go over to the side of the opposition. The opposition considered Chechnya part of the Russian Federation and furiously criticized the Dudayev regime. One of the main areas of criticism were facts about the cooperation of the new government with criminal circles. As a result, the leader of the party "Nijso" Labazanov decides to move to active action.

For his organization, he captures the house. In a short time his wards turn the building into a fortified position with fire points and other attributes of wartime.

Go to active activities

In early June, the members of "Nijso" arrange the first actions. They make armed raids on state facilities and recruit new supporters. In the middle of the month there is a rally of supporters of the opposition. During the demonstration, Labazanova's people start a shootout with the militiamen. The next day Dudayev sends his men to capture the headquarters of the party. After the battle, which lasted all day, the Dudaevs still managed to take the building. Ruslan's brother and two of his associates were cut off from their heads, who were put on public display in the center of the city.

Preparing for the assault

After these events Labazanov left the city and began to accumulate strength again. After some time, the Dudayevites attacked a settlement in which the opposition consolidated, and scattered their fighters. Labazanov Ruslan went to the territory of Dagestan, where the main forces of the "Interim Council of Chechnya" were preparing to storm Grozny. Russian federal services also actively participate in the creation of the militia. They supply weapons and money. Also, a significant number of tanks were handed along with the crews, which were recruited from Russian contract soldiers.

Storm of the Terrible

On November 26, the storming of the city began. To capture the advancing grouping was divided into three parts.

The columns were formed from heavy tanks and trucks with the forces of the Chechen opposition. After the forces entered the city, they began to slowly move towards the center - the presidential palace. Tanks moved by all the rules of the road and met no resistance. As a result, they reached the Presidential Palace, where they opened a dense fire. A tank column without infantry support can not function properly in an urban metropolitan area. Therefore, many machines were damaged.

Labazanov Ruslan Khamidovich took direct part in the hostilities. After the members of the special group fired from the "Bumblebee" in the building, it caught fire. The battles began not only near the "palace". At that time, some Russian servicemen were attacked by Shamil Basayev's militants near the television center, as a result of which the tankmen were captured. The Chechen field commander Labazanov captured the "palace", but by the evening all forces had left the city, the assault of Grozny was over.

After the beginning of full-scale hostilities, Labazanov acted as an intermediary between the belligerents. On May 31, 1996, he was found killed in the village of Tolstoy-Yurt. There he is buried.