The Russian republic of Chechnya in the south Caucasus has been mired in bloody conflict since the fall of the Soviet Union. Russian forces are fighting Chechen rebels for control of what used to be one of the most beautiful regions in Russia.
The conflict and the way Russian troops are fighting it, has also become a source of endless criticism for Russia's international image. VOA's Rebecca Santana recently traveled to Chechnya and reports on this edition of Dateline.