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Writer's pictureVlad Besedovskyy

List of all military conflicts that took place during the collapse of the Soviet union

In this article we will try to list all Soviet and early post-Soviet conflicts within the borders of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1995, reflecting the turbulent period of its dissolution and aftermath. Some conflicts have much deeper roots and some are still hot today, but in this list we will limit to the ones directly related to the collapse of the USSR. Later on, some of these conflicts will be given their own articles. And then, if we are lucky, this list will be transformed into another book on uniforms, cause there sets were wild back then.

collapse of the Soviet union

Caucasus

By many accounts, the collapse of the Soviet Union has actually started here.

collapse of the Soviet union

Sumgait Pogrom (1988)

  • Location: Sumgait, Azerbaijan.

  • Summary: A violent outbreak against the Armenian population in the town of Sumgait, Azerbaijan, related to the escalating tensions over Nagorno-Karabakh

collapse of the Soviet union

Baku Pogrom (1990)

  • Location: Baku, Azerbaijan.

  • Summary: Ethnic violence targeting the Armenian population of Baku, Azerbaijan, amid the growing tensions in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

collapse of the Soviet union

 Black January (1990)

  • Location: Baku, Azerbaijan.

  • Summary: A crackdown by Soviet troops on pro-independence protests in Baku, leading to the deaths of over 130 civilians. The event further fueled Azerbaijan’s push for independence.

collapse of the Soviet union

Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict (1988–1994)

  • Location: Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

  • Summary: An ethnic and territorial conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, predominantly inhabited by ethnic Armenians. The fighting escalated as the Soviet Union collapsed, leading to a full-scale war by 1992. A ceasefire was declared in 1994, but the conflict remains unresolved.

collapse of the Soviet union

April 9 Tragedy (1989)

  • Location: Tbilisi, Georgia.

  • Summary: Soviet military forces violently dispersed pro-independence protesters in Tbilisi, leading to the deaths of at least 21 people. This event fueled Georgia’s independence movement.

collapse of the Soviet union

Georgian Civil War (1991–1993)

  • Location: Georgia.

  • Summary: Georgia experienced internal conflicts shortly after declaring independence from the Soviet Union. These included a power struggle between President Zviad Gamsakhurdia and opposition forces, and two secessionist wars in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, both seeking independence from Georgia.

collapse of the Soviet union

South Ossetia War (1991–1992)

  • Location: South Ossetia, Georgia.

  • Summary: An armed conflict between Georgian government forces and South Ossetian separatists seeking to break away from Georgia. Russian peacekeepers were deployed, occupying Georgian land.

collapse of the Soviet union

War in Abkhazia (1992–1993)

  • Location: Abkhazia, Georgia.

  • Summary: A separatist war in the region of Abkhazia, where Abkhaz forces, backed by Russia and North Caucasian fighters, fought against Georgian forces. It resulted in the de facto independence of Abkhazia, although it remains internationally recognized as part of Georgia.

collapse of the Soviet union

Central Asia

collapse of the Soviet union

Fergana Valley Riots (1989)

  • Location: Fergana Valley, Uzbekistan.

  • Summary: Ethnic violence erupted between the local Uzbek population and Meskhetian Turks, leading to numerous deaths and mass displacement.

collapse of the Soviet union

Osh Riots (1990)

  • Location: Osh, Kyrgyzstan.

  • Summary: Ethnic clashes between Uzbeks and Kyrgyz in the Osh region, driven by competition over land and ethnic tensions.

collapse of the Soviet union

Tajik Civil War (1992–1997)

  • Location: Tajikistan.

  • Summary: A brutal civil war broke out shortly after Tajikistan’s independence, fought between government forces (backed by Russia) and various opposition groups, including Islamists and democratic reformists.

collapse of the Soviet union

Europe

collapse of the Soviet union

Transnistria War (1990–1992)

  • Location: Transnistria, Moldova.

  • Summary: Armed conflict between the Moldovan government and pro-Russian separatists in the breakaway region of Transnistria. Russian peacekeepers were deployed, and Transnistria remains a de facto independent state, though internationally recognized as part of Moldova.

collapse of the Soviet union

January Events (1991)

  • Location: Lithuania.

  • Summary: Soviet military forces cracked down on pro-independence demonstrators in Vilnius, leading to the deaths of civilians. This marked a pivotal moment in Lithuania's struggle for independence from the Soviet Union.

collapse of the Soviet union

The Riga OMON Incidents (1991)

  • Location: Latvia.

  • Summary: Clashes between the Soviet OMON (special police) forces and Latvian independence supporters, part of the broader Baltic struggle for independence.

collapse of the Soviet union

Communist coup attempt (1991)

  • Location: Moscow

  • Summary: An attempt to take power back from the newly organized government of Independent Russian Government which ended in assaulting the governmental palace and severe civilian casualties due to clashes with Kantemirov tank division.

collapse of the Soviet union

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Sep 29
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

Great article!

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