Two published volumes. Multiple languages. Years of historical research into the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.
Freedom or Death! — History of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria is a historical book series by Francesco Benedetti, drawing on archival documents, interviews and eyewitness accounts to reconstruct the story of a republic whose struggle for independence remains little understood beyond the Caucasus.
Volume I — From Revolution to War (1991–1994)
The first volume traces the independence movement, the events of the 1991 revolution, the creation of Ichkeria’s institutions and the political tensions that preceded Russia’s military intervention.
Available in English, Italian, Russian and Chechen.
Volume II — The First Russo-Chechen War (1994–1996)
The second volume follows the invasion, the battle for Grozny, the principal stages of the war and the negotiations that led to the Khasavyurt agreements of 1996. Historical records are complemented by testimony from people who experienced the conflict.
Available in English and Italian.
An ongoing historical project
The published volumes form part of a wider research effort into the history of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. A third volume, dedicated to the years after the first war, is currently in preparation.
The books complement the interviews, official documents and historical materials collected by Ichkeria Digital Archive.
Read history. Preserve memory.
Discover the existing editions, choose your language and explore the sources, stories and people behind the series.
BUY OUR BOOKS — Editions and purchase links
Visit the official Freedom or Death! book-series website
Readers of Volume II can also consult the English historical maps, which remain available in our archive.
