Khasan Bakayev

Khasan Zayndinovich Bakayev (; 8 February 1959 – 7 March 2025) was a Russian historian of the Chechen Republic. The Chechen–Russian conflict in 1994–2001 contributed to his inability to obtain his doctoral degree at a Russian university in St. Petersburg. Bakayev transitioned from a scholar to a dissident. Nevertheless, Bakayev managed to publish hundreds of articles in newspapers and magazines. His books were widely known in Chechnya and recognized by the scientific community.

Life and career In 1976, Khasan Bakayev graduated from the High School No 1 in Gekhi, Chechen Republic. From 1977 to 1979, he served in the Soviet army, which was a mandatory duty for youngsters. From 1983 to 1988, he studied history at the Chechen-Ingush State University and received his master's degree. In the last two years of his university studies, Bakayev began to specialize in studying the History of the Ancient East. As a student, he published around 40 scientific articles related to Vainakh (Chechen and Ingush) ethnogenesis. In the same period of time, Kh. Bakayev was actively involved in archaeological excavations in the former Chechen-Ingush Republic.

In 1987, Kh. Bakayev was recognized as the best scientifically oriented student for his achievements in the regional archaeological conferences and, as a result, he was sent to Moscow to participate in the XXII All-Union student archeological conference, where Khasan was awarded a diploma of the winner of the first degree. And in the same year, Bakayev was invited to participate at the top level All-Union Scientific Conference titled "Caucasus and civilizations of the Ancient East", in Vladikavkaz, Russia. This opportunity allowed him to contact and even debate with many scientists like I.M. Dyakonov, G.A. Melikishvili, Viacheslav Vsev. Ivanov, O.M. Japaridze, S.A. Starostin, A.Y. Militarёv, etc.

Bakayev died in Belgium on 7 March 2025, at the age of 66.(confirmed by his family)