Insurgency Success Factors and Rebel Legitimacy
for a solution 313. The messaging contributed to developing legitimacy amongst Chechen
civilians, which resulted in the ease of mobilizing civilians to support the early years of the
movement.
The Russian invasion and start of the First Chechen War presented a shift in media
images surrounding Chechen independence. Russian and foreign media outlets were highly
active in the First Chechen War³14. The initial invasion challenged international perceptions of
the Soviet bloc breakup as a movement towards a non-aggressive Russia and international
security. TV in particular, presented powerful images of war, death, and destruction in
Chechnya³15. Public opinion was exposed to both Chechen and Russian grievances during war,
which had both legitimating and delegitimating effects on the insurgency. Why the insurgency
attempted to uphold international law and avoid civilian casualties, death presented by its
independence was still presented on TVs across the world. In particular, live reporting of the
1996 hostage crisis provided horrific images of Chechen civilians being mowed down by
Russian artillery after being used as human shields by insurgent forces³16. These perceptions
challenged rebel claims that the rebellion was a legitimate political institution organized around
protecting Chechen civilians.
The Moscow apartment bombings were regarding with dismay, and reported by media
outlets harshly317. Images from these bombings and clashes during the Chechen invasion of
Dagestan largely justified the Russian military intervention in Chechnya. Media presence was
largely restricted during the Second Chechen War, allowing Russia to control the messaging,
images, and information coming out of Chechnya. The messaging further reduced the legitimacy
of the insurgency as legitimate political actor and bolstered the legitimacy of Russia as the
legitimate political force and enforcer of security.
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