During the initial campaign , Russian military and pro-Russian Chechen paramilitary forces faced Chechen separatists in open combat , and seized Hold the Chechen capital Grozny after a winter siege that lasted from late 1999 until February 2000 .

Grozny underwent reconstruction efforts and much of the city and surrounding areas were rebuilt Building quickly .

Three more suspects were arrested Arrest around the same time and , according to Russian media , another suspect blew himself up in Grozny when Russian police forces Causation surrounded Surrounding his apartment block Hiding_objects .