The Evil Trench Fortress () was a Russian fortification built during the Caucasian War in 1820 by Nikolay Grekov. It was destroyed and abandoned in 1825 when North Caucasian rebels captured it after a week-long siege.

Location and Establishment

The fortress was established near the Three Brothers tract on the Sunzha River in 1820 by Nikolay Grekov. It was located southwest of the historical Chechen villages of Amir-Khan-Kichu and Kalkan-Yurt, near modern-day Alkhan-Yurt, and formed part of a wider Russian effort to strengthen the North Caucasus Line and to fend off Chechen raids.

These measures were aimed at putting pressure on the Chechens. Alexey Yermolov wrote: "I wish to forgive only in the case when they will be completely dependent on us for their means of existance."

The location had strategic importance because, “when the water level in the Sunzha rose, there was one of the best crossing points for bands of robbers”.

Design and Garrison

The fortress was a small redoubt forming part of the Russian fortifications along the Sunzha River, known as the Sunzha Line. Its garrison was made up of 100 Russian infantrymen and 30 Cossacks.

History

The fortress received its name, “Evil Trench”, from the Battle of Aldy, where, in 1785, a Russian force under colonel Nikolay de Pieri was destroyed in an ambush by Chechen forces under Sheikh Mansur. This was the point where de Pieri crossed the Sunzha River on his way to Aldy.

Destruction

In late May 1825, a large rebellion broke out in the North Caucasus under the newly elected Imam Muhammad al-Quduqli and Bey-Bulat Taymiev. The Evil Trench fortress saw the first major engagement of the rebellion when a detachment of rebels led by the Chechen leader Yahya Khan of Chakhkeri besieged the fortress. The garrison was forced to abandon the fortress and flee to Groznaya after its water supply was exhausted. The rebels subsequently captured and destroyed the fortress, after which it was abandoned by the Russian authorities.

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