What is chechen black widow?

The term "Chechen Black Widow" refers to female suicide bombers from Chechnya and neighboring regions who have carried out terror attacks against Russian targets since the early 2000s. These women are often recruited and brainwashed by extremist groups to carry out their attacks, which are motivated by a desire for revenge against Russian forces for their actions in Chechnya.

The name "Black Widow" comes from the fact that many of these suicide bombers are widows or relatives of men who have been killed by Russian forces. They are seen as martyrs in some Chechen circles, and their attacks are celebrated as acts of resistance against a perceived oppressor.

The first documented attack by a Chechen Black Widow occurred in June 2000 when a woman named Khava Barayeva blew up a truck carrying Russian soldiers in Grozny, killing herself and at least five others. Since then, there have been dozens of suicide bombings carried out by Chechen women, including attacks on Russian passenger planes, trains, and public spaces.

While the number of attacks has diminished in recent years, Chechen Black Widows remain a potent symbol of the ongoing conflict between Chechen separatists and the Russian state.