Assessments of the Ruling Regime of the Chechen Republic by the Central Periodical Press of the Russian Federation (Autumn 1991 – Spring 1992)

The article analyzes the assessments of the ruling regime of the Chechen Republic presented in the central periodical press of the Russian Federation between autumn 1991 and spring 1992. The most typical publications that appeared in departmental, democratic, centrist, and opposition periodicals of those years were examined. The most characteristic interviews of General D.M. Dudayev in the press were subjected to a thorough analysis. The perspective of the capital’s mass media on such important issues as the recognition of the Dudayev regime by the Center, the economic situation in the Chechen Republic, as well as its attempt to create its own armed forces and seize weapons from the security structures of the former USSR in Grozny, was also examined. It was concluded that the position of the central mass media on the Chechen issue in 1991–1992 was ambiguous. On the one hand, the press sometimes tried to portray General D. M. Dudayev as the unconditional leader of the Chechen people, a fighter against party bureaucracy, and a potential ally of the Russian authorities in the North Caucasus. On the other hand, leading reputable newspapers and magazines noted the deep economic crisis and the noticeable deterioration of the crime situation in Chechnya, as well as the antiRussian rhetoric of D. M. Dudayev himself. Nevertheless, during this period, the mass media adopted a peaceloving stance and counted on a successful political settlement of the crisis surrounding Chechnya.

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2. ALYOSHKIN A. Poka strelyali v vozduh. V obstanovke chrezvychajnogo polozhenija general Dudaev prinyal prisyagu na vernost [While they were shooting into the air. Under the state of emergency, General Dudayev took the oath of allegiance]. IN: Rossijskaja gazeta. – 1991. – November 12 (In Russ.).

3. ALYOSHKIN A. Popytka perevorota v Chechne: zagnannyj volk nepredskazuem [Attempted coup in Chechnya: a cornered wolf is unpredictable]. IN: Rossijskaja gazeta. – 1992. – April 24 (In Russ.).

4. Anatolij Shabad: «On obladal sposobnostju “verhnego vzglyada”» [Anatoly Shabad: "He had the ability to 'see through' things"]. IN: Stolitsa. – 1991. – № 48. – Pp. 3-4 (In Russ.).

5. ARUTYONOVICH G. Djokhar Dudaev: «Gruzinskij stsenarij» v Chechne isklyuchaju [Dzhokhar Dudayev: “I rule out the ‘Georgian scenario’ in Chechnya”]. IN: Trud. – 1992. – May 6 (In Russ.).

6. ASTASHKIN N. Chestju ne postupilsya [He did not compromise his honor]. IN: Krasnaja zvezda. – 1992. – February 8 (In Russ.).

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9. Bolshe shturmov ne budet [There will be no more assaults]. IN: Selskaja zhizn. – 1991. – October 8 (In Russ.).

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12. BUT V. Kak «razoruzhali» militsiju v Groznom [How the police were “disarmed” in Grozny]. IN: Izvestia. – 1991. – November 23 (In Russ.).

13. BUT V. Sformirovana pervaja sotnya kazachijej gvardii [The first squad of the Cossack Guard has been formed]. IN: Izvestia. – 1991. – November 25 (In Russ.).

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16. V nebe nad Groznym – chechenskaja aviaeskadrilya [In the sky above Grozny – a Chechen air squadron]. IN: Krasnaja zvezda. – 1992. – February 8 (In Russ.).

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19. GRACHEV A. Groznyj uspokaivaetsya [Grozny calms down]. IN: Pravda. – 1991. - December 2 (In Russ.).

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25. IVANOV A. Tsenoju zhizni [At the cost of one’s life]. IN: Krasnaja zvezda. – 1992. – January 10 (In Russ.).

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30. KAZIHANOV A. Politiki uspokaivayutsya, a grabiteli – net. Obstanovka v Checheno-Ingushetii postepenno vhodit v normalnoje ruslo [Politicians are calming down, but the robbers are not. The situation in Chechen Ingushetia is gradually returning to normal]. IN: Izvestia. – 1991. – November 22 (In Russ.).

31. KAZIHANOV A. V boj idut tolko stariki [Only the old are going into battle]. IN: Izvestia. – 1991. – December 19 (In Russ.).

32. KAZIHANOV A. Groznenskij garnizon prosit zashchity u prezidenta D. Dudaeva [The Grozny garrison is seeking protection from President D. Dudayev]. IN: Izvestia. – 1992. – January 9 (In Russ.).

33. KAZIHANOV A. General Dudaev poluchaet chrezvychajnyje polnomochija [General Dudayev is granted extraordinary powers]. IN: Izvestia. – 1992. – February 10 (In Russ.).

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37. KNYAZKOV S. Galina Starovojtova: Oshibki obhodyatsya dorogo [Galina Starovoitova: Mistakes come at a high cost]. IN: Krasnaja zvezda. – 1992. – January 22 (In Russ.).

38. KOVALSKAJA G. V poiskah utrachennogo vraga. Konfrontatsija s Rossijej pomogaet Dudaevu uderzhivatsya u vlasti [In search of a lost enemy. Confrontation with Russia helps Dudayev maintain power]. IN: Novoje vremya. – 1992. - № 47. – Pp. 7-9 (In Russ.).

39. KULIKOV B. Chto kazakam lyubo… [What the Cossacks love...]. IN: Literaturnaja Rossija. – 1991. – November 29 (In Russ.).

40. LEONTIEVA L. Eh, dontsy-molodsy… [Oh, you brave Don men...]. IN: Literaturnaja gazeta. – 1991. – November 13 (In Russ.).

41. LEONTIEVA L. Groznenskomu garnizonu snitsya Rostov [The Grozny garrison is dreaming of Rostov]. IN: Moskovskije novosti. – 1992. – January 19 (In Russ.).

42. LEONTIEVA L. Komu ugrozhajet Groznyj [To whom is Grozny threatening?]. IN: Moskovskije novosti. – 1992. – February 16 (In Russ.).

43. LEONTIEVA L. Djohar Dudaev (interview) [Dzhokhar Dudaev (interview)]. IN: Moskovskije novosti. – 1992. – March 29 (In Russ.).

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45. LISOVENKO N. Donbass otrezan ot nefti Groznogo [Donbass is cut off from Grozny’s oil]. IN: Izvestia. – 1991. – December 20 (In Russ.).

46. LITVIN V. «Ja ih ne opravdyvaju. Ja ih pytajus ponyat» [“I’m not justifying them. I’m trying to understand them”]. IN: Pravda. – 1991. – December 10 (In Russ.).

47. LITOVKIN V. Kavkaz: ofitsery vynuzhdeny zashchishatsya sami [The Caucasus: officers are forced to defend themselves]. IN: Izvestia. – 1991. – December 2 (In Russ.).

48. LOGINOVA N. Billiard Djohara Dudaeva [Billiard of Dzhokhar Dudayev]. IN: Moskovskije novosti. – 1992. – December 13 (In Russ.).

49. LORSANUKAEV S. V ogne broad net. O burnyh dnyah Kavkaza [There’s no ford in the fire. About the turbulent days of the Caucasus]. IN: Selskaja zhizn. – 1991. – October 17 (In Russ.).

50. LORSANUKAEV S. Pri sklokah i zemlya sirota [In times of strife, the land is an orphan]. IN: Selskaja zhizn. – 1991. – October 31 (In Russ.).

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53. MALASHENKO A.V., TRENIN D.A. Vremya Juga: Rossija v Checne, Chechnya v Rossii [Time of the South: Russia in Chechnya, Chechnya in Russia]. – Moscow: Gendalf, 2002. – 267 p. (In Russ.).

54. MALYUTA E. «Dalshe nekuda». Press-konferentsija A. Rutskogo [“There’s nowhere to go further.” A. Rutskoy’s press conference]. IN: Gudok. – 1991. – December 31 (In Russ.).

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56. NEVZOROVA I.V., MOCHALOV D.P. Stanovlenije separatistskogo rezhima v Chechne po materialam tsentralnoj pressy 1991-1993 godov [The emergence of the separatist regime in Chechnya: evidence from the central press of 1991–1993]. IN: The 20th Century and Russia: Society, Reforms, Revolutions. – 2018. – No. 6. - Pp. 31–41 (In Russ.).

57. Novost odnim abzatsem [The news in one paragraph]. IN: Trud. – 1992. - April 24 (In Russ.).

58. OGANYAN S., SOROKIN E. Soyuz razrushen. Ochered za Rossijej? [The alliance is destroyed. The turn is now for Russia]. IN: Pravda. – 1991. – November 12 (In Russ.).

59. Odin den prezidenta Dudaeva [One day with President Dudayev]. IN: Megapolis-Express. -1992. – February 20 (In Russ.).

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61. PILIPCHUK A., ERMOLIN V. Pora ponyat: natisk na armiju dostigaet kriticheskoj cherty [It’s time to understand: the pressure on the army is reaching a critical point]. IN: Krasnaja zvezda. – 1992. – February 11 (In Russ.).

62. PILIPCHUK A., ERMOLIN V. V Groznom – komendantskij chas [There is a curfew in Grozny]. IN: Krasnaja zvezda. – 1992. – February 12 (In Russ.).

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67. Puls dnya [Pulse of the day]. IN: Pravda. – 1991. – November 2 (In Russ.).

68. Puls dnya [Pulse of the day]. IN: Pravda. – 1991. – December 24 (In Russ).

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70. S pomoshchiju oruzhija segodnya ne dogovoritsya [Today, you can’t reach an agreement with the help of weapons]. IN: Izvestia. – 1991. – November 12 (In Russ.).

71. Samolyoty nad Chechnyoj [Airplanes over Chechnya]. IN: Trud. – 1992. - April 25 (In Russ.).

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84. KHARLAMOV V. Blitsinterviju v nomer [A brief interview for the newspaper issue]. IN: Pravda. – 1991. – November 11 (In Russ.).

85. Checheno-Ingushetija: suverenitet ne glotaetsya. Vvedenije chrezvychajnogo polozhenija v respublike nakalilo i bez togo vzryvoopasnuju obstanovku v regione [Chechen Ingushetia: sovereignty is not swallowed. The imposition of a state of emergency in the republic has exacerbated the already volatile situation in the region]. IN: Pravda. – 1991. – November 11 (In Russ.).

86. Chechenskaja Respublika pristupila k izgotovleniju boevogo avtomata sistemy «Borz» («Volk») [The Chechen Republic has begun manufacturing the “Borz” (“Wolf”) combat assault rifle system]. IN: Izvestia. – 1992. – January 6 (In Russ.).

87. JUNISOV V. Oktyabr uzh otstupil… (Zapiski moskovskogo reportyora) [October has already receded... (Notes of a Moscow reporter)]. IN: Ogonyok. – 1991. - № 50. – Pp. 10-13 (In Russ.).

88. «Ja govov byt prostym smertnikom v nashej borbe, lish by dobitsya pobedy». Prezident Chechni general Dzhohar Dudajev v besede s Andreem Karaulovym [“I am ready to be a simple suicide bomber in our struggle, just to achieve victory.” Chechen President, General Dzhokhar Dudayev, in a conversation with Andrei Karaulov]. IN: Nezavisimaja gazeta. – 1991. – November 30 (In Russ.).

89.