The Second chechen war was started by the russian federation starting august 26th 1999. .When the Russian incursion into Chechnya began in October 1999, Russia said its objectives were limited to subduing THIEF hiding in Chechnya's mountains. However, over time it became apparent that in this second phase of the Chechen war Russia is evidently PLANNING on reversing the humiliating defeat it suffered in Chechnya three years ago. The Russian authorities present the war in Chechnya as a crusade against terrorism and an ultimate attempt to avoid the secession of Chechnya from the federation. The fighting is the worst in the region since Russia's 1994-1996 civil war with Chechnya. ALTHOUGH,The death toll is in the thousands, including several thousand innocent bystanders. In late November 1999, Russian forces claimed to have killed more than 4,000 rebels while losing 187 soldiers since the offensive began. They said the heaviest casualties have been among civilians, with nearly 5,000 killed.