Vakha Khamidovich Arsanov (Russian: Ваха Хамидович Арсанов; 1958 – 15 May 2005) was a Chechen divisional general and politician who was Vice President of Ichkeria from 1997 to 2001.

In February 1997, "a remote-controlled bomb blast damaged two cars" in Arsanov's motorcade in central Grozny; his press spokesman claimed the attack was "'a carefully planned operation by the Russian secret services,' designed to destabilize Chechnya by provoking conflict between supporters of [Maskhadov] and Zelimkhan Yandarbiev, the outgoing acting president.

[10] Arsanov was accused of corruption and involvement in criminal activity,[11]: 149  including kidnappings of foreigners[12][13][14][15][16]: 379  and connections with the Chechen mafia in Moscow.

"[20] He soon disappeared in Georgia, where he was treated for an injury, appearing publicly in the presence of President Eduard Shevardnadze,[21] and later reportedly moved to Nazran in Ingushetia.

[22] He resurfaced in 2001 to call Chechen resistance against Russia "pointless," and Mashkhadov fired him, saying, "He could have fallen into the hands of the Federals at any time and they could've forced him to take part in the negotiations.

[24] According to Russian media reports, he became close with Akhmad Kadyrov, the pro-Russian head of the republic, who asked the federal center for an amnesty for Arsanov;[25] other sources state that he and Isa Munayev remained the last commanders still fully loyal to Maskhadov.

[29] On 15 May 2005, Russia announced that during a raid in the village of Ivanovo, a suburb of Grozny, pro-Russian police and militia forces killed four militants, including Arsanov.

[30] The death was shrouded in mystery; the bodies were reported to be burned too badly to be identified, and separatists alleged that Arsanov was actually in Russian custody at the time.