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.
Caucasus
By many accounts, the collapse of the Soviet Union has actually started here.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Central Asia
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.
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.
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.
Europe
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.
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.
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.
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.
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