Former Chechen President Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev is killed when a bomb destroys his SUV in Qatar. Two Russian secret intelligence agents are sentenced to life in prison by the Qatar court for his death. The judge states that the convicted agents acted on orders from the Russian leadership.

Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov is assassinated when a bomb exploded at a stadium in Grozny on the Russian national holiday to celebrate the World War II victory over Germany. Russia views Kadyrov's death as a blow to their attempts to restore peace in Chechnya. Warlord Shamil Basayev claims responsibility for the attack.

Heavily armed guerillas seize a school in Beslan, North Ossetia, near Chechnya. More than 340 people, including 155 children, are killed in the violence that ends with a hostage standoff with militants. The hostage-takers were rebelling against Russia's actions and demanding independence for nearby Chechnya. Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed international terrorists for the bloodshed. Russian authorities offer a $10 million reward for the capture of Alan Maskhadov and Samil Basayev.

Alu Alkhanov is sworn in as Chechen president after getting elected with 73.5 percent of the vote.

President of the Chechnya separatist government, Aslan Maskhadov calls for a cease-fire and persuades the Russian authorities to agree to peace talks. The official Chechen leadership dismisses his peace overtures and says he should give himself up.

Separatist leader Aslan Maskhadov is killed in what Russian forces called a special operation in Chechyna. Makhadov was considered the most moderate of Chechnya's rebel commanders.

Abdul Khalim Saydullayev replaces Maskhadov as the president of the Chechnya separatist government. Saydullayev ends the peace talks with Moscow and creates the Caucus Front against Russia in an effort to widen the gap with Russia.

Chechen separatist warlord Shamil Basayev claims responsibility for major assaults in Nalchik, the capital of the North Caucasus Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria.

Regional parliamentary elections are held in an attempt by Moscow to normalize the conflict. Over 50 percent of the parliamentary seats are won by Kremlin-based Russian officials. Chechen separatists scorn the results and call the election a charade.

Ramzan Kadyrov, son of the assassinated president Akhmad Kadyrov, becomes prime minister after Sergey Abramov resigns due to health reasons.

Separatist leader Abdul-Khalim Saydullayev is killed by government forces. He is succeeded by Dokka Umarov. Saydullayev is the fourth Chechen rebel president to have been assassinated.

Shamil Basayev, the Chechen rebel who claimed responsibility for a series of terrorist attacks, is killed in what authorities described as a police operation in neighboring Ingushetia. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the death of Basayev, who had a $10 million price on his head, "just retaliation."