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HanzoHattori (talk | contribs)
28,111 edits
srsly
HanzoHattori (talk | contribs)
28,111 edits
ok, let's stick to the hill (and yes, there were other units involved)
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|caption=Russian paratroopers killed in action on Hill 776
|caption=Russian paratroopers killed in action on Hill 776
|partof=[[Second Chechen War]]
|partof=[[Second Chechen War]]
|place=Area of Hill 776 near [[Ulus-Kert]] and [[Selmentauzen]], [[Chechnya]]
|place=Hill 776 near [[Ulus-Kert]], [[Chechnya]]
|date=[[February 29]]-[[March 1]] [[2000]]
|date=[[February 29]]-[[March 1]] [[2000]]
|result=Disputed
|result=Disputed
|combatant1=[[Image:Flag of Russia.svg|22px]] [[Russian Airborne Troops|VDV]]<br>
|combatant1=[[Image:Flag of Russia.svg|22px]] [[Russian Airborne Troops|VDV]] and [[Spetsnaz]]
|combatant2=[[Image:Flag of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.svg|22px]] Chechen Guerrillas<br>[[Image:Flag of Jihad.svg|22px]] [[Mujahideen#Mujahideen in Chechnya|Mujahideen]]
|combatant2=[[Image:Flag of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.svg|22px]] [[Chechen Republic of Ichkeria|Chechen separatists]]<br>[[Image:Flag of Jihad.svg|22px]] [[Mujahideen#Mujahideen in Chechnya|Islamic volunteers]]
|commander1=[[Mark Yevtukhin]] † and others
|commander1=Mark Yevtukhin{{KIA}} and others
|commander2=[[Abu al-Walid]] and others
|commander2=[[Abu al-Walid]] and others
|strength1=
|strength1=
|strength2=
|strength2=
|casualties1=At least 84 killed and 4 injured
|casualties1=At least 84 killed and 4 injured
|casualties2=At least 25 killed
|casualties2=At least 12 killed
|campaign=
|campaign=
}}
}}
{{Campaignbox Second Chechen War}}
{{Campaignbox Second Chechen War}}


The '''Battle of Ulus-Kert''', also known as the '''Battle of Hill 776''', was a controversial [[battle]] in the [[Second Chechen War]] that saw a company of [[Russia]]n [[paratroopers]] (90 men) wiped out near the [[Argun]] [[gorge]], over the course of several days, leaving only six survivors on the Russian side.
The '''Battle of Ulus-Kert''', also known as the '''Battle of Hill 776''', was a controversial [[battle]] in the [[Second Chechen War]] during the fierce fighting over the control of the [[Argun Gorge]]. An isolated 90-men 6th [[Company]] 76th [[Russian Guards|Guards]] ''[[Pskov]]'' [[Airborne forces|Airborne]] [[Division (military)|Division]] was wiped out despite desperate attempts to rescue it, leaving only six survivors on the Russian side.


==Controversies==
==Controversies==


Uncertainty continues to surround many aspects of the engagement, including how many casualties the Russians themselves inflicted and how much, if any, [[close air support]] they were provided. The battle began just hours after the Russian Defence Minister, [[Marshal]] [[Igor Sergeyev]], had assured his government that the Chechen war was over.<ref>''[[The Independent]]'' ([[March 15]] [[2000]]) [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20000315/ai_n14282173 Nation grieves for lost paratroops of Pskov]</ref>
The unit in question was the 6th [[Company]], part of 2nd [[Battalion]], 104th [[Parachute]] Landing [[Regiment]], 76th [[Russian Guards|Guards]] ''[[Pskov]]'' [[Airborne forces|Airborne]] [[Division (military)|Division]]. Uncertainty continues to surround many aspects of the engagement, including how many casualties the Russians themselves inflicted.
According to one analysys, "the Russian military lost a unique chance to destroy the bulk of the Chechen guerillas and to prevent the beginning of the rebel war in the republic."<ref name="lost">[[The Jamestown Foundation]] ([[May 11]], [[2006]]) [http://www.jamestown.org/publications_details.php?volume_id=416&issue_id=3726&article_id=2371084 Putin adress conceals challenges in the North Caucasus]</ref>


While 84 Russian soldiers and officers were ultimately confirmed killed in battle, Russia's high commanders, including General [[Georgy Shpak]], the [[Russian Airborne Troops]] commander, and General [[Gennady Troshev]], commander of federal forces in Chechnya, initially falsely insisted only 31 men died in the battle<ref>{{cite web | author=RFE/RL Inc. | title=Chechnya: Russia Provides Conflicting Reports On Casualties | year=[[7 March]] [[2000]] | url=http://www.rferl.org/features/2000/03/F.RU.000307182439.asp}}</ref> ([[Vladimir Putin]]'s spokesman on Chechnya, [[Sergei Yastrzhembsky]], also claimed 31 killed were "the total losses of that company for several days"<ref>{{cite web | author=GlobalSecurity.org | title=On The Situation in the North Caucasus | year=[[6 March]] [[2000]] | url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2000/03/000306-chechen-rus1.htm}}</ref>). The losses of the other Russian units operating in area were never disclosed.
While 84 Russian soldiers and officers were ultimately confirmed killed in battle, Russia's high commanders, including General [[Georgy Shpak]], the [[Russian Airborne Troops]] commander, and General [[Gennady Troshev]], commander of federal forces in Chechnya, initially falsely insisted only 31 men died in the battle<ref>{{cite web | author=[[RFE/RL]] | title=Chechnya: Russia Provides Conflicting Reports On Casualties | year=[[7 March]] [[2000]] | url=http://www.rferl.org/features/2000/03/F.RU.000307182439.asp}}</ref> ([[Vladimir Putin]]'s spokesman on Chechnya, [[Sergei Yastrzhembsky]], also claimed 31 killed were "the total losses of that company for several days"<ref>{{cite web | author=[[GlobalSecurity.org]] | title=On The Situation in the North Caucasus | year=[[6 March]] [[2000]] | url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2000/03/000306-chechen-rus1.htm}}</ref>, as did Minister Sergeyev). Local Pskov newspaper ''[[Pskovskaya Pravda]]'' first broke the news that the official casualty figures were false.<ref name="lost" /> The losses of the other Russian units operating in area were never disclosed.


The Chechens admitted losing 12 men killed on the Hill 776 and 13 in related fighting in the [[Ulus-Kert]]-[[Selmentauzen]] area at the time (including three [[Turkey|Turks]]<ref>{{cite web | author=The Jamestown Foundation | title=Turkish Volunteers in Chechnya | year=[[7 April]] [[2005]] | url=http://www.jamestown.org/publications_details.php?volume_id=411&issue_id=3293&article_id=2369571}}</ref>), and put overall Russian losses at some 200 dead (including "about hundred so-called Pskov commandos"<ref>Chechenpress ([[8 March]] [[2005]]) [http://www.chechenpress.info/english/news/2005/03/08/03.shtml The battle of Ulus-Kert gives no rest to Moscow]</ref>). According to ''[[Krasnaya Zvezda]]'' ([[Red Star]]), the official newspaper of the [[Russian Ministry of Defence]], Chechen casualties included approximately 400 dead, including 200 found on the Hill 776.
The Chechens admitted losing 12 men killed on the Hill 776 and 13 more in related fighting in the area near the villages of [[Ulus-Kert]] and [[Selmentauzen]] at the time (including three [[Turkey|Turkish]] volunteers<ref>{{cite web | author=[[The Jamestown Foundation]] | title=Turkish Volunteers in Chechnya | year=[[7 April]] [[2005]] | url=http://www.jamestown.org/publications_details.php?volume_id=411&issue_id=3293&article_id=2369571}}</ref>), and put the overall Russian losses at up to 200 killed<ref>[[Kavkaz Center]] ([[29 February]] [[2004]]) [http://www.kavkazcenter.net/eng/content/2004/02/29/2475.shtml Kremlin's lies about Battle of Ulus-Kert]</ref> (including about hundred "so-called Pskov commandos"<ref>[[Chechenpress]] ([[8 March]] [[2005]]) [http://www.chechenpress.info/english/news/2005/03/08/03.shtml The battle of Ulus-Kert gives no rest to Moscow]</ref>). According to ''[[Krasnaya Zvezda]]'' ([[Red Star]]), the official newspaper of the [[Russian Ministry of Defence]], Chechen casualties in the area included approximately 400 dead, including 200 found on the Hill 776.


==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
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==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|2}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20000315/ai_n14282173 Nation grieves for lost paratroops of Pskov] ''[[The Independent]]''
*[http://old.kavkazcenter.com/eng/photo/ulus-kert/ Chechen photos of the aftermath] [[Kavkaz Center]]
*[http://old.kavkazcenter.com/eng/photo/ulus-kert/ Chechen photos of the aftermath] [[Kavkaz Center]]
*[http://usacac.army.mil/CAC/milreview/English/JulAug01/JulAug01/bobja01.pdf ULUS-KERT: An Airborne Company’'s Last Stand] [[U.S. Army Combined Arms Center]]
*[http://usacac.army.mil/CAC/milreview/English/JulAug01/JulAug01/bobja01.pdf ULUS-KERT: An Airborne Company’'s Last Stand] [[U.S. Army Combined Arms Center]]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC3rorOWuDg] Russian documentary on the battle featuring commentary by the few survivors
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC3rorOWuDg Hill 776] Russian documentary on the battle featuring commentary by the few survivors
[[Category:2000 in Russia]]
[[Category:2000 in Russia]]
[[Category:Battles of the Second Chechen War]]
[[Category:Battles of the Second Chechen War]]

Revision as of 23:30, 1 February 2008

Battle of Ulus-Kert
Part of Second Chechen War
File:Ulus-Kert.jpg
Russian paratroopers killed in action on Hill 776
DateFebruary 29-March 1 2000
Location
Hill 776 near Ulus-Kert, Chechnya
Result Disputed
Belligerents
VDV and Spetsnaz Chechen separatists
Islamic volunteers
Commanders and leaders
Mark Yevtukhin † and others Abu al-Walid and others
Casualties and losses
At least 84 killed and 4 injured At least 12 killed

The Battle of Ulus-Kert, also known as the Battle of Hill 776, was a controversial battle in the Second Chechen War during the fierce fighting over the control of the Argun Gorge. An isolated 90-men 6th Company 76th Guards Pskov Airborne Division was wiped out despite desperate attempts to rescue it, leaving only six survivors on the Russian side.

Controversies

Uncertainty continues to surround many aspects of the engagement, including how many casualties the Russians themselves inflicted and how much, if any, close air support they were provided. The battle began just hours after the Russian Defence Minister, Marshal Igor Sergeyev, had assured his government that the Chechen war was over.[1] According to one analysys, "the Russian military lost a unique chance to destroy the bulk of the Chechen guerillas and to prevent the beginning of the rebel war in the republic."[2]

While 84 Russian soldiers and officers were ultimately confirmed killed in battle, Russia's high commanders, including General Georgy Shpak, the Russian Airborne Troops commander, and General Gennady Troshev, commander of federal forces in Chechnya, initially falsely insisted only 31 men died in the battle[3] (Vladimir Putin's spokesman on Chechnya, Sergei Yastrzhembsky, also claimed 31 killed were "the total losses of that company for several days"[4], as did Minister Sergeyev). Local Pskov newspaper Pskovskaya Pravda first broke the news that the official casualty figures were false.[2] The losses of the other Russian units operating in area were never disclosed.

The Chechens admitted losing 12 men killed on the Hill 776 and 13 more in related fighting in the area near the villages of Ulus-Kert and Selmentauzen at the time (including three Turkish volunteers[5]), and put the overall Russian losses at up to 200 killed[6] (including about hundred "so-called Pskov commandos"[7]). According to Krasnaya Zvezda (Red Star), the official newspaper of the Russian Ministry of Defence, Chechen casualties in the area included approximately 400 dead, including 200 found on the Hill 776.

Aftermath

Partially owing to these points of controversy, the battle has been seen in Russia in two ways: firstly, as a catastrophic defeat for the Russian military, and secondly, as a glorious last stand made by the paratroopers, confirming the VDV's reputation as an elite force in the same way that Camerone did for the French Foreign Legion, and the battle of Ulus-Kert was quickly enshrined in heroic myth.

All 13 officers and nine enlisted men of the doomed company received the country's highest medal and honorary title of Hero of the Russian Federation, and the events sparked army-sponsored pieces of visual arts, including a television miniseries, a film, and a theatrical musical.

References

  1. ^ The Independent (March 15 2000) Nation grieves for lost paratroops of Pskov
  2. ^ a b The Jamestown Foundation (May 11, 2006) Putin adress conceals challenges in the North Caucasus
  3. ^ RFE/RL (7 March 2000). "Chechnya: Russia Provides Conflicting Reports On Casualties". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  4. ^ GlobalSecurity.org (6 March 2000). "On The Situation in the North Caucasus". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  5. ^ The Jamestown Foundation (7 April 2005). "Turkish Volunteers in Chechnya". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  6. ^ Kavkaz Center (29 February 2004) Kremlin's lies about Battle of Ulus-Kert
  7. ^ Chechenpress (8 March 2005) The battle of Ulus-Kert gives no rest to Moscow
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