This is a pretty common phrase around conflict in the North Caucasus, Chechnya, but this phrase has little story behind it. Indeed nowadays and even before war in Chechnya this phrase was common and many used it, but well — I picked specific topic about it.
The phrase “Welcome to hell” in this story is coming from the New Year's Eve assault on Grozny which started right on December 31. There were four Russian Armed Forces groups surrounding and attacking Grozny at once and several battles broke out here and there. The battle where this phrase was heard over radio happened at Grozny Railway station.
Over 1000 men of Russia’s 131st Maykop Brigade had spent the night in the fields just north of Grozny, poised to advance at dawn. Their task was to take the airport, and they moved across the open fields to it with surprising ease. When they met no opposition they were told to head into the centre of town and occupy the railway station.
The first battalion of Maykop Brigade had occupied Grozny’s railway station by early afternoon, parking its tanks and APC’s in the square in front, facing the Presidential Palace. The Chechens took up positions in the depot buildings behind the railway station, the post office to the right and the five-storey building opposite. Over the radio, before the battle, Russian commander Colonel Ivan Savin had conversation with Chechen commander Turpal Ali Atgeriyev who asked Savin to retreat. “I have orders and I will obey them in any case.” — Replied Savin.
Later on, Russian communications officer heard the words “Welcome to hell.” on his headset. Shortly after, Chechens surrounding the station opened heavy fire. The surviving Russian troopers took cover inside the station, then the Chechens completed their ambush by setting it on fire. Russian commanding officer Savin radioed for help, but help never arrived.
Within hours the square had turned into a horrific scene of burning tanks and dead bodies. The second and third battalions of the brigade responded to the call for help, but were trapped in ambushes before reaching the station. Several survivors tried to flee the place alongside Colonel Savin. Savin was killed, the survivors were captured.
