In the summer of 1817, the Nazran redoubt was built on the Sundzha River, covering the road from Mozdok to Georgia. At the same time, General Ermolov, who arrived in the Caucasus, ordered the construction of the Pregradny Stan fortification. The Chechens began to show concern. Russian troops successfully repulsed their raids, but could not prevent them. In the capital, Yermolov was accused of provoking raids. Leaving garrisons in the fortifications and posts of the Caucasian Line, Ermolov concentrated about 5,000 people near the village of Chervlyonaya in May 1818. On May 24, troops crossed the Terek and entered Chechen lands. The mountaineers sent the elders of all the main teips to Ermolov. The general promised that he would stop the campaign in exchange for hostages. But among the hostages was the son of the head of one of the influential teips...