Stepanakert, the capital of the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh, faces its most intensive bombardment since the war began, with continuous shelling forcing mass evacuations and destroying critical infrastructure.
Bombardment Intensity
The city endures unprecedented attacks:
Artillery strikes now occur every 30-40 minutes. The city’s 55,000 residents have largely fled, with only essential workers and journalists remaining.
Weapons Employed
- Grad multiple rocket launchers
- Smerch heavy rockets
- Artillery shells (152mm)
- Cluster munitions (alleged)
Civilian Exodus
Infrastructure Collapse
Critical services failing:
- Power grid: Intermittent electricity
- Water supply: Pumping stations damaged
- Communications: Internet and phone lines cut
- Transportation: Roads cratered, bridges damaged
“The enemy wants to make Stepanakert uninhabitable. But we will rebuild every building, every street. This is our land, our home.”
Life Underground
Survivors adapt to subterranean existence:
Daily Reality
- Children in basements for weeks
- Elderly unable to access medications
- Pregnant women giving birth in shelters
- Pets abandoned in destroyed homes
Medical Emergency
The Republican Medical Center struggles:
Surgeries performed by candlelight in basement operating theaters. Blood supplies critically low. Medical staff working 48-hour shifts.
Journalists Under Fire
International media faces dangers:
- Two journalists injured by shelling
- Hotels targeted after housing reporters
- Press freedom organizations express alarm
- Limited access to document atrocities
Historical Parallel
Residents recall the 1991-1994 war:
“In the ’90s, we had no heat, no light for three years. We survived then, we’ll survive now. But the weapons today are more terrible.”
Propaganda War
Both sides claim justification:
Azerbaijan’s Position
- Military targets within city
- Response to Ganja attacks
- “Liberation” of occupied territories
Armenian Position
- Deliberate terror campaign
- Ethnic cleansing attempt
- War crimes documentation
Children’s Trauma
International Response
Humanitarian organizations alarm:
- ICRC: Calls for civilian protection
- UN: Demands respect for international law
- EU: Condemns targeting of civilians
- Human Rights Watch: Documents violations
Symbol of Resistance
Despite devastation, the city becomes a symbol:
- “We Are Our Mountains” monument stands defiant
- Flags fly from damaged buildings
- Graffiti declares “Artsakh is Armenia”
- Churches hold services in basements
Future Uncertain
As bombardment continues:
Military analysts suggest the intensive shelling aims to force Armenian capitulation by making civilian life impossible in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Stepanakert’s ordeal embodies the human cost of the conflict, as a once-vibrant city transforms into a ghost town under the relentless rain of explosives.