Robert W. Schaefer, The Insurgency in Chechnya and the North Caucasus: From Gazavat to Jihad, page 138 The city of Kizlyar in the neighbouring republic of Dagestan, the site of the first Imperial Russian fort in the region (and many historical battles), was chosen as the target due to its proximity and easy access of 2 miles from the Chechen border across flat terrain.