After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Chechnya — like many former Soviet republics — sought independence from Moscow. This pursuit led to two brutal wars in 1994-1996 and 1999-2000 that devastated its population and left lasting scars.Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, leaders like President Volodymyr Zelensky have drawn parallels between Russia’s tactics in Chechnya and Ukraine. Many see the war in Ukraine as part of a broader pattern of Russian aggression that has affected multiple nations and shattered countless lives.This is why some pro-democracy Chechens – including those who have been fighting on the side of Ukraine against Russia — recognize that the outcome of the war in Ukraine could shape the prospects for Russia's decolonization and the future of their own national liberation.The Kyiv Independent spoke with Chechen political scientist Marat Iliyasov about the lead-up to the Chechen wars, their consequences for Chechnya’s cultural identity, and what lessons the world can take from this dark period as Ukraine’s future remains far from certain amid Russia’s ongoing aggression.This interview has been edited for length and clarity.The Kyiv Independent: How did the Chechen wars start?Marat Iliyasov: The first Russo-Chechen war, which began in 1994, was the first armed conflict that Russia was directly conducting in the post-Soviet space.