Stepanakert Under Siege: Azerbaijani Bombardment Intensifies
WarEcho Team news
Azerbaijani forces begin intensive bombardment of Stepanakert with GRAD rockets, marking escalation to urban warfare
Azerbaijani forces launched an intensive bombardment of Stepanakert (Khankendi), the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, using GRAD multiple rocket launchers and artillery, beginning a months-long siege.
The Bombardment
Azerbaijani forces positioned:
- GRAD rocket systems in Shusha
- Artillery on surrounding heights
- Daily barrages targeting city
- Indiscriminate fire on residential areas
Civilian Impact
- Population: 60,000 trapped in city
- Casualties: Dozens killed, hundreds wounded
- Infrastructure: Power, water, heating disrupted
- Shelters: Residents lived in basements
Life Under Siege
Daily reality:
- Constant rocket attacks
- Food and medicine shortages
- No electricity or heating in winter
- Schools and hospitals targeted
- Underground life for survival
Strategic Objective
Azerbaijan aimed to:
- Force Armenian capitulation
- Demoralize population
- Prevent Karabakh functioning
- Demonstrate military superiority
Armenian Response
- Organized civil defense
- Underground facilities
- Counter-battery fire
- Plans for Shusha operation
International Reaction
- Human rights groups condemned attacks
- Media coverage increased
- Calls for ceasefire
- But no effective intervention
Turning Point
The siege of Stepanakert:
- Galvanized Armenian resistance
- Led to operation to capture Shusha
- Became symbol of civilian suffering
- Changed nature of conflict
#stepanakert
#bombardment
#urban-warfare
#civilians