Zvartnots Airport clash explained

Zvartnots Airport clash
Partof:the Karabakh movement
Date:5 July 1988
Place:Zvartnots Airport, Armenia, Soviet Union
Side1: Armenian protesters
Side2: Soviet Army
Fatalities:1
Injuries:36–50

The Zvartnots Airport clash occurred on 5 July 1988 between Armenian protesters and the Soviet troops at the Zvartnots International Airport at the outskirts of Yerevan.

After the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's conference in late June disapproved the Armenian demands to Nagorno-Karabakh, a new wave of demonstrations erupted in Yerevan. The Soviet government sent troops to Yerevan to "restore order." Thousands of Armenian protesters gathered at the Zvartnots Airport to block the entrance of the Soviet troops. A clash occurred between the troops and the demonstrators. The security forces opened fire killing one person and injuring dozens.[1] [2] The event spread some anti-Soviet sentiment in Armenia.[2] [3]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Beissinger, Mark R.. Nationalist Mobilization and the Collapse of the Soviet State. 2002. Cambridge University Press. 9780521001489. 187.
  2. Book: Verluise, Pierre. Armenia in Crisis: The 1988 Earthquake. 1995. Wayne State University Press. 9780814325278. 92–93. registration.
  3. Book: Cohen, Ariel. Russian Imperialism: Development and Crisis. 1998. Greenwood Publishing Group. 9780275964818. 135.