Ruslan Labazanov was one of the most prominent figures of the anti-Dudayev opposition in Chechnya. His activities are still disputed and cause discussions in society. Ruslan was a key figure during the outbreak of the First Chechen War.
He personally took part in the fighting against radical Islamists. During the rebellion against the authorities, Dzhokhar Dudayev was supported by the Russian federal authorities.
Biography
Ruslan Labazanov was a Chechen by nationality, but was born (1967) and lived in Kazakhstan for a long time. He received an incomplete secondary education at school. After that, he continued to study at the school. I have been involved in sports since childhood. By the age of eighteen he was a candidate master of sports in boxing. Served in the Soviet Army. He did military service in a sports company on the territory of Belarus. After demobilization, he decides to continue his studies. In Krasnodar he enters the Institute of Physical Education. After graduating from the Faculty of Sports Medicine, he began working as a coach. Promoted rapidly in the sports association. He holds the position of president, is responsible for martial arts. Duringtenure in this position creates a criminal gang that is engaged in racketeering.
Starting activities
Little is known about this part of life. Somewhere in the early nineties Ruslan Labazanov is under arrest. Soon he will be transferred to the territory of Chechnya. Most likely, this was no coincidence, given that Ruslan probably had acquaintances both in the Grozny pre-trial detention center and outside it.
At this time, riots begin in Chechnya. Nationalists and Islamists seize power in the region. Taking advantage of this situation, Ruslan Labazanov raises a riot in the pre-trial detention center, as a result of which he manages to go free. There he becomes close to the leader of the Chechen nationalists, Dzhokhar Dudayev. In a fairly short period, he enters the circle of trusted persons and becomes the head of the security detachment. Until 1994, he held various positions in the government of the so-called Ichkeria.
Formation of a battalion
According to the personal order of Dudaev, Ruslan Labazanov becomes an adviser on "ethnic issues". Immediately forms its own combat squad. Among the fighters, he enjoys great authority and maintains strict discipline. According to some sources, Labazanov was an intermediary in schemes for the illegal sale of weapons.
In the spring of 1994, a conflict arises between Labazanov and Dudayev, which leads to a shootout. As a result of a short fight, Ruslan ends up in the hospital, where he decides to go over to the side of the opposition. The opposition considered Chechnya to be part of the Russian Federation and vehemently criticized Dudayev's regime. One of the mainareas of criticism were facts about the cooperation of the new government with criminal circles. As a result, the leader of the Niiso party, Labazanov, decides to take action.
For his organization, he takes over the house. In a short time, his wards turn the building into a fortified position with gun emplacements and other wartime paraphernalia.
Transition to action
In early June, members of "Niiso" arrange the first actions. They carry out armed raids on government facilities and recruit new supporters. In the middle of the month, a rally of opposition supporters takes place. During the demonstration, Labazanov's people start a shootout with policemen. The next day, Dudayev sends his fighters to capture the party's headquarters. After the battle, which lasted all day, the Dudaevites still managed to take the building. Ruslan's brother and two more of his associates were beheaded and put on public display in the city center.
Preparing the assault
After these events, Labazanov left the city and began to accumulate strength again. After some time, the Dudayevites attacked the settlement, in which the opposition was strengthened, and scattered their fighters. Labazanov Ruslan withdrew to the territory of Dagestan, where the main forces of the "Provisional Council of Chechnya" were preparing to storm Grozny. Russian federal services also take an active part in the creation of the militia. They supply weapons and money. A significant number of tanks were also transferred along with crews that were recruited from the Russians.contractors.
Assault on Grozny
On the twenty-sixth of November, the assault on the city began. To capture the advancing grouping was divided into three parts.
The columns were formed from heavy tanks and trucks with the forces of the Chechen opposition. After the forces entered the city, they began to slowly move towards the center - the presidential palace. The tanks moved according to all the rules of the road and did not meet any resistance. As a result, they reached the Presidential Palace, where heavy fire was opened on them. A tank column without infantry support cannot function properly in an urban agglomeration. Therefore, many cars were hit.
Labazanov Ruslan Khamidovich took a direct part in the hostilities. After the members of the special group fired from "Bumblebees" at the building, it caught fire. Fighting began not only near the "palace". At this time, part of the Russian servicemen was attacked by Shamil Basayev's militants near the television center, as a result of which the tankers were taken prisoner. Chechen field commander Labazanov seized the "palace", but by the evening all forces left the city, the assault on Grozny was over.
After the start of full-scale hostilities, Labazanov acted as an intermediary between the warring parties. On May 31, 1996, he was found murdered in the village of Tolstoy-Yurt. He is buried there.
