Grozny

Grozny is the capital city of the Chechen Republic, Russia. It is located in the North Caucasus on the Sunzha River and serves as the republic's administrative, economic, and cultural center. As of the early 2020s, its population is in the hundreds of thousands.

Founded in 1843 as a Russian fortress during the Caucasian War, the settlement was named Grozny, a Russian word meaning terrible or formidable. It grew to become the capital of the Chechen Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic within the Russian SFSR and later the capital of the Chechen Republic within the Russian Federation.

From 1994 to 2000, Grozny suffered extensive destruction during the First and Second Chechen Wars, after which large-scale reconstruction began with federal and regional funds. The city has since been rebuilt with new residential districts, government offices, and cultural facilities. A prominent landmark is the Akhmad Kadyrov Mosque, also called the Heart of Chechnya, which is among the largest mosques in Europe. Grozny Airport, renamed Akhmad Kadyrov International, was reopened and expanded in the 2010s as part of the reconstruction.

Educational and civic institutions include Chechen State University and several colleges, along with cultural venues and museums. Today Grozny functions as the political and economic hub of Chechnya, balancing post-conflict rebuilding with efforts to preserve Chechen culture and history.