Chechnya
/ˌtʃɛtʃˈnjɑː
/ /ˈtʃɛtʃnɪə /(also Chechenia)
An autonomous republic in the Caucasus in SW Russia, on the border with Georgia; population 1,205,800 (est. 2009); capital, Grozny. The republic declared itself independent of Russia in 1991 and was invaded by Russian forces (1994). A peace treaty agreed the withdrawal of troops, but the Russians invaded again in 1999. Also called Chechen Republic.