Igor Prokopenko in his book cites previously unknown documentary facts and testimonies of participants and eyewitnesses of the Chechen war. The author makes you take a fresh look at the tragic events of that war. Why did such a terrible tragedy happen to our country? Why has the state made so many mistakes? Why was this war unparalleled in the scale of stupidity, betrayal, corruption and cynicism? The main characters in that war, according to the author, were ordinary soldiers and officers who took responsibility for the decisions made, violating the charter, and sometimes orders of senior military officials. A military journalist reveals the secret springs of that tragedy, in which the main role was played by the betrayal of the "Kremlin nobility," illiteracy and cowardice of the highest echelon. Why is it so important to know the truth about the Chechen war? You will learn the answer from this book.