The leader of the Chechen resistance during the Chechen Wars was Dzhokhar Dudayev. A former Soviet Air Force general, Dudayev declared Chechnya's independence from Russia in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union. He became a prominent figure in Chechnya’s fight for sovereignty, leading the resistance against Russian military actions in both the First and Second Chechen Wars. His leadership galvanized Chechen nationalism and resistance, despite facing significant military challenges from Russia. Dudayev was ultimately assassinated in 1996, but his legacy continued to shape the Chechen struggle for independence and resistance against Russian control.