In February 2000, amidst the backdrop of the Second Chechen War, Russian military operations intensified in Grozny, Chechnya's capital. On February 5, Russian forces, ostensibly conducting anti-terror operations, entered the suburb of Novye Aldi, where they engaged with suspected Chechen fighters. While the Russian government portrayed these actions as necessary to restore order, reports quickly surfaced detailing a gruesome massacre of civilians. Eyewitness accounts described how soldiers indiscriminately fired at men, women, and children, leading to a high civilian death toll, estimated at around 60 individuals.

The attack on Novye Aldi was emblematic of the broader tactics used by Russian forces during the conflict, often involving heavy bombardment and ground assaults that resulted in substantial civilian casualties. The incident received widespread media attention and outrage from human rights organizations, who documented violations committed by Russian troops. The massacre marked a critical point in the war, drawing international scrutiny and condemnation, which had limited effect on Russia's military strategy in Chechnya.

Following the incident, human rights watchdogs and organizations began to track the systematic human rights abuses attributed to the Russian military campaign. Despite allegations of war crimes, the Russian government maintained that its actions were part of a necessary offensive against terrorism, dismissing criticisms as biased. The heavy toll on civilians in Novye Aldi and throughout Chechnya contributed to a growing narrative of the war's brutality, with long-lasting effects on the region's demographics and stability.