The author’s attention is focused on certain aspects of the interaction and mutual enrichment of Ossetian and Chechen-Ingush literature. The mutual respect and friendly ties between these cultures are captured in the folklore heritage of the mountain peoples. However, the poet Kosta Khetagurov brought a particularly inspiring energy and social urgency to Chechen-Ingush artistic culture at the turn of the 20th century. In his recklessly bold and relevant journalistic articles and poetry, he was the first in the North Caucasus to address the socio-political and social issues facing the Chechens and Ingush. The article reveals the poet’s inspiring role in awakening the journalistic thinking of Chechen and Ingush authors: it was during this period that their articles began to appear in the democratic press of North Ossetia. Kosta drew the attention of writers to such issues as the education of mountain peoples, their economy, administrative governance, legal proceedings, the formation of bourgeois relations, and their conflict with traditional ways of life and thought. «Vladikavkaz Letters,» «On the Eve,» «Mountain Fines,» «Troubles of the Northern Caucasus,» «Chichikov,» «Internal Enemies,» and other journalistic works, as well as the poems of Kosta Khetagurov, expressed social protest against the established tsarist administration’s order, which degraded the honor and dignity of mountain peoples. The article notes that the depth of K. Khetagurov’s perception by Chechen and Ingush authors is also indicated by the fact that his image is imprinted in their poetry (A. Mamakaev, Kh.-B. Mutaliyev, D. Yandiev, and others), and that his poems were translated into their native languages. It is concluded that Kosta Khetagurov played a key role in the development of social and literary thought among the peoples of the North Caucasus, including the Chechens and Ingush. His work, which served as a link between Russian and mountain cultures, stimulated the growth of national consciousness, and his legacy remains a model of service to the people and interethnic unity.