In February 1944, Soviet authorities executed a mass deportation of the Chechen and Ingush ethnic groups, justified by claims of treason during World War II. Following the German invasion of the Soviet Union, these groups, among others, were accused of collaborating with the enemy. Consequently, the decision was made to forcibly displace them from their homelands in the North Caucasus to remote regions in Central Asia, primarily Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The operation, known as 'Operation Lentil', was executed by the NKVD (People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs), which employed swift and brutal measures to round up the populations.Soviet forces began the deportation under cover of night, often using threats and violence to ensure compliance. Families were given little time to gather their belongings and were packed into overcrowded trains with inadequate food, water, or medical supplies. The transportation process itself was harrowing, with many suffering from starvation and disease over the weeks-long journey. In total, an estimated 400,000 Chechens and Ingush people were forcibly removed from their homes. Upon arrival, they faced further challenges, including harsh living conditions and a lack of acceptance in their new settlements, resulting in a high mortality rate.The aftermath of the deportation led to significant long-term demographic and sociocultural changes in the Chechen and Ingush regions. Many members of these communities faced stigma and discrimination, and their identities and ways of life were deeply affected. The deportation continued to be a sensitive and contentious issue, contributing to national and ethnic tensions within the Soviet Union and its successor states for decades to come.