The aim of this study is to increase the understanding of the causes of the first war between Russia and Chechnya. Empirical data consists of four half-structured interviews with former Russian and Chechen war participants that tell about their perspective of the causes of the war between Russia and Chechnya. The study used narrative method and the theoretical framework consists of International Relations theories such as Realism, Geopolitics, Liberalism and Marxism. Geopolitics sees the geostrategic interest, territory as a cause of war. According to realism warfare occurs because of the state’s endeavor after power and influence in term of territory. Liberalism sees political actors and misconceptions between the actors as a main reason behind war. According to Marxism war occurs because of differences between the classes. The capitalists’ volition to control means of production leads to war.   The result of the analysis concludes that theories explanations of war are found in war participants’ narrative about the war.  Chechen participants are more or less agree that geopolitical interests are largely the basis for war. The Russian participants, however, agree that the economic interests and political actors are the basis for war. Thus there is clear difference between the Russian and the Chechen war participants’ ways of looking at the causes of war.