YEREVAN. - May 8 marks the 21st anniversary of a unique operation on liberation of strategic town of Shushi from Azerbaijani armed forces.

During the war unleashed by Azerbaijan, Shushi was turned into Azerbaijani military stronghold. The opponent started shelling the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh - Stepanakert in late 1991 using Shushi’s suitable location.  

The situation deteriorated sharply in February 1992 when the Azerbaijani military began to use multiple rocket launcher (BM-21 Grad).

The opponent fired systematically at residential areas of Stepanakert to destroy maximum number of civilians. Hundreds of peaceful citizens became victims of inhuman shelling. Stepanakert’s existence was threatened in April. In late May the Armenian commanders made the only possible decision – to liberate Shushi from Azerbaijani armed forces by means of a storm.

The operation was launched on the night of May 8, 1992 at 2: 24 a.m. Shushi was protected by 2,500 Azerbaijani soldiers armed to the teeth.

A total of 3,800 volunteers were fighting from the Armenian side under the command of Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan, commander of the Artsakh self-defense. Front line stretched for 45 kilometers. The attack was carried out in several directions.

The operation was completed shortly due to high morale of Armenian soldiers, combined with skillful command. The operation lasted about 26 hours. At 4:00 a.m. on May 9 Ter-Tadevosyan stated: all enemy units left Shushi. 

Earlier, vast majority of Azerbaijani civilian population left the city as well. The Armenian side lost 58 soldiers, while Azerbaijan - about 200.