List of conflicts in territory of the former Soviet Union

Map showing Russian political and military influence or interference as of March 2014
Changes in national boundaries after the end of the Cold War

This is a list of the violent political and ethnic conflicts in the countries of the former Soviet Union following its dissolution in 1991. Some of these conflicts such as the 1993 Russian constitutional crisis or the 2013–2014 Euromaidan protests in Ukraine were due to political crises in the successor states. Others involved separatist movements attempting to break away from one of the successor states. They also include overtly aggressive invasions as well as the use of deniable forces out of uniform and foreign-controlled proxy forces.

Frozen conflicts

Some post-Soviet conflicts ended in a stalemate or without a peace treaty, and are referred to as frozen conflicts. This means that a number of post-Soviet states have sovereignty over the entirety of their territory in name only. In reality, they do not exercise full control over areas still under the control of rebel factions. In many instances, these territories have institutions which are similar to those of fully-fledged independent states, albeit with little or no international recognition, including Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Georgia; Transnistria in Moldova; and previously, the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic in Ukraine.

Recognition of these states varies. Transnistria has not received recognition from any UN member state, including Russia. Abkhazia and South Ossetia have received recognition from Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Nauru and Syria. The Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics had received recognition from Russia, Syria, and North Korea before their unrecognized annexation by Russia.

Central Asia

Conflict Parties Start End Detail Fatalities
Tajikistani Civil War Tajikistan/ Tajikistan Russia/ Russia Uzbekistan Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan United Tajik Opposition Jamiat-e Islami Afghanistan al-Qaeda Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan 5 May 1992 27 June 1997 Began when ethnic groups from the Gharm and Gorno-Badakhshan regions of Tajikistan, which were underrepresented in the ruling elite, rose up against the national government of President Rahmon Nabiyev, in which people from the Leninabad and Kulob regions dominated. The war ended with the signing of the General Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and National Accord in Tajikistan and the Moscow Protocol. 20,000–150,000 killed
Batken conflict Kyrgyzstan Government Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan 30 July 1999 27 September 1999 Armed clashes between militants of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) and the Armed Forces of Kyrgyzstan 1,182 killed
Andijan massacre Uzbekistan Government Protesters in the city of Andijan 13 May 2005 Protest and government massacre in the city of Andijan in Uzbekistan 187–1,500 killed
2010 Kyrgyz Revolution Kyrgyzstan Government Kyrgyzstan Opposition 6 April 2010 14 December 2010 Also known as the People's April Revolution, the Melon Revolution or the April Events. Began with the ousting of Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiyev in the capital Bishkek. The violence ultimately led to the consolidation of a new parliamentary system in Kyrgyzstan. 118 killed
2010 South Kyrgyzstan ethnic clashes Kyrgyzstan Government Ethnic Kyrgyz rioters
Ethnic Uzbek rioters
19 May 2010 June 2010 Clashes between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbeks in southern Kyrgyzstan, primarily in the cities of Osh and Jalal-Abad, in the aftermath of the ouster of former President Kurmanbek Bakiyev on April 7. 393–893 killed
Insurgency in Gorno-Badakhshan (2010–2015)  Tajikistan United Tajik Opposition 19 September 2010 September 2015 Sporadic fighting in Tajikistan between rebel and government forces. 191–206 killed
Zhanaozen massacre Kazakhstan Government Striking oil workers in the city of Zhanaozen 16 December 2011 17 December 2011 Labor protest and government massacre in the city of Zhanaozen in Kazakhstan 14+ killed
2020 Dungan–Kazakh ethnic clashes  Kazakhstan Ethnic Kazakh rioters
Ethnic Dungans rioters
5 February 2020 8 February 2020 Clashes between ethnic Kazakhs and ethnic Dungans (a Muslim group with Chinese origins) in the village of Masanchi within the Korday District of Kazakhstan. 11 killed
2020 Kyrgyz Revolution Kyrgyzstan Government Kyrgyzstan Opposition 5 October 2020 15 October 2020 Response to the 2020 Kyrgyz parliamentary election that was perceived by protestors as unfair, with allegations of vote rigging. 1 killed
2021 Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan clashes  Kyrgyzstan  Tajikistan 28 April 2021 1 May 2021 Clashes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan over water dispute. 45 killed
2022 Kazakh unrest Kazakhstan Government CSTO Kazakhstan Opposition 2 January 2022 11 January 2022 Protests across Kazakhstan that were sparked by an abrupt increase of gas prices, but have escalated into general protests. Kazakhstan's government has requested CSTO assistance in quelling the protests. 257 killed
2022 Karakalpak protests  Uzbekistan  Karakalpakstan 1 July 2022 3 July 2022 Over proposed amendments by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the Constitution of Uzbekistan which would have ended Karakalpakstan's status as an autonomous region of Uzbekistan and right to secede from Uzbekistan via referendum. A day after protests had begun in the Karakalpak capital of Nukus, President Mirziyoyev withdrew the constitutional amendments. The Karakalpak government said that protesters had attempted to storm government buildings. 21 killed
2022 Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan clashes  Kyrgyzstan  Tajikistan 27 January 2022 20 September 2022 Clashes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan 146 killed

North Caucasus

The breakaway republics within the Caucasus region.
Conflict Parties Start End Detail Fatalities
East Prigorodny conflict  North Ossetia-Alania Russia  Ingushetia 30 October 1992 6 November 1992 Inter-ethnic conflict in the Eastern part of the Prigorodny district. 600 killed
First Chechen War  Russia  Chechen Republic of Ichkeria 11 December 1994 31 August 1996 Russian troops invaded after Chechnya declared independence, but withdrew in 1996 leading to a de facto Chechen independence. 46,500 killed
War in Dagestan (1999)  Russia Islamic Djamaat of Dagestan 7 August 1999 14 September 1999 The Islamic International Brigade invaded the neighbouring Russian republic of Dagestan in support of the Shura of Dagestan separatist movement. 2,775 killed
Second Chechen War  Russia  Chechen Republic of Ichkeria 26 August 1999 31 May 2000 Russia restores federal control of Chechnya. 20,500 killed
Insurgency in Chechnya  Russia  Chechen Republic of Ichkeria Caucasus Emirate 1 June 2000 16 April 2009 Separatist insurgency in Chechnya, Dagestan, and other parts of the North Caucasus region. Unknown
Insurgency in Ingushetia  Russia Caucasus Emirate 21 July 2007 19 May 2015 Separatist insurgency in Ingushetia. 871 killed
Insurgency in the North Caucasus  Russia Caucasus Emirate Islamic State 16 April 2009 19 December 2017 Separatist insurgency in Chechnya, Dagestan, and other parts of the North Caucasus region. 3,500 killed
Low-level Islamic State insurgency in the North Caucasus  Russia  Islamic StateImam Shamil Battalion 20 December 2017 Present ongoing terror activity of the Islamic State branch in the North Caucasus after the insurgency of the Caucasus Emirate. 250+ killed

South Caucasus

Conflict Parties Start End Detail Fatalities
First Nagorno-Karabakh War  Azerbaijan
 Soviet Union (1988–91)
Supported by:
 Russia
 Republic of Artsakh Armenia
Supported by:
 Russia
20 February 1988 12 May 1994 The separatist conflict leads to de facto independence of Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic). 28,000–38,000 killed
South Ossetia war (1991–1992)  Georgia  South Ossetia
Supported by:
 Russia
5 January 1991 24 June 1992 The separatist conflict leads to South Ossetia's de facto independence from Georgia. 1,000 killed
1991–1992 Georgian coup d'état Georgia (country) Rebel factions of National Guard

Mkhedrioni
And other paramilitaries Supported by:
Russia Russia

Georgia (country) President Zviad Gamsakhurdia

Georgia (country) Factions of National Guard Supported by:
Ichkeria

22 December 1991 6 January 1992 A military coup against Georgian President Zviad Gamsakhurdia results in him fleeing to Chechnya 113 killed
Georgian Civil War
Georgia (country) Pro-Gamsakhurdia forces
Supported by:
Ichkeria
Georgia (country) Pro-Shevardnadze forces  Russia 6 January 1992 31 December 1993 A civil war between the post-coup Georgian government of Eduard Shevardnadze and supporters of ousted President Zviad Gamsakhurdia results in Gamsakhurdia's defeat with Russian military support for Shevardnadze. 2,000 killed (including coup)
War in Abkhazia (1992–1993)  Georgia  Abkhazia
Supported by:
 Russia
14 August 1992 27 September 1993 Abkhaz separatism leads to the de facto independence of Abkhazia from Georgia. 10,000–30,000 killed
Ganja Uprising Azerbaijan 709th Brigade of Azerbaijan Army
Supported by:
 Russia
Azerbaijan President Abulfaz Elchibey

Azerbaijan Azerbaijani Army
Popular Front

4 June 1993 15 June 1993 A mutiny against Azerbaijani President Abulfaz Elchibey replaces him with Heydar Aliyev Unknown
1995 Azerbaijani coup attempt Azerbaijan Special Purpose Police Unit

Turkey Elements from Turkey
Supported by:
Nationalist Movement Party

Azerbaijan Government of Azerbaijan

Supported by:
Turkey Government of Turkey

13 March 1995 17 March 1996 A failed attempt to reinstall former president Abulfaz Elchibey 31 killed
War in Abkhazia (1998) Georgia (country) Ethnic Georgian rebels  Abkhazia 18 May 1998 26 May 1998 Ethnic Georgians launched an insurgency against the Abkhazian secessionist government. 100 killed
1998 Georgian attempted mutiny Georgia (country) President Eduard Shevardnadze

Georgia (country)Defense Ministry forces

Georgia (country) Pro-Gamsakhurdia forces 18 October 1998 20 October 1998 An abortive mutiny led by pro-Gamsakhurdia officers from the Senaki Military Brigade to remove new President Eduard Shevardnadze from power. 5 killed
2001 Kodori crisis Georgia (country) Georgian guerrillas  Abkhazia 4 October 2001 18 October 2001 Georgian guerrillas unsuccessfully try to regain control over Abkhazia with the help of Chechen fighters. At least 40 killed
Pankisi Gorge crisis  Georgia
Supported by:
 Russia
 United States
al-QaedaChechen Republic of Ichkeria Chechen rebels 2002 2004 An incursion by Al-Qaeda forces into Georgia on behalf of Chechen rebels fighting in the North Caucasus. They were forced out in 2004 by Georgian forces with American and Russian backing. Unknown
2004 South Ossetian clashes  Georgia  South Ossetia
 Russia
10 August 2004 19 August 2004 Clashes between Georgian and South Ossetian troops result in several deaths. 22 killed
2006 Kodori crisis Georgia (country) Saakashvili Government Georgia (country) Monadire 22 July 2006 28 July 2006 Georgian police and special forces drive a local rebellious militia out of the Georgian-controlled Kodori Valley in Abkhazia. 1 killed
Russo-Georgian War  Russia South Ossetia Abkhazia  Georgia 7 August 2008 12 August 2008 A war between Georgia on one side and Russia, South Ossetia and Abkhazia on the other side confirms the de facto independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and leads to their recognition by Russia and Nicaragua. 500 killed
2009 Georgian mutiny Georgia (country) Saakashvili Government Georgia (country) Mukhrovani Separate Tank Battalion 5 May 2009 5 May 2009 An alleged abortive mutiny by a Georgian Army tank battalion based in Mukhrovani village with a goal of removing President Saakashvili from power. None killed
2010 Mardakert clashes  Azerbaijan  Armenia Republic of Artsakh 18 June 2010 1 September 2010 Sporadic border war on the Armenian–Azerbaijan border and at the line of contact between the Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan. 7-8 killed
2016 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict  Azerbaijan  Armenia Republic of Artsakh 1 April 2016 5 April 2016 Armenian and Azerbaijani forces fight a four-day long conflict along the border of the unrecognized Republic of Artsakh. Azerbaijani forces make minor territorial gains, some of which are retaken by Armenian forces before the end of the conflict. 400–1,600 killed
July 2020 Armenian–Azerbaijani clashes  Azerbaijan  Armenia 12 July 2020 16 July 2020 Armenian and Azerbaijani forces engage in border clashes along the Tavush Province of Armenia and Tovuz District of Azerbaijan. The death of Azerbaijani major general Polad Hashimov sparks the July 2020 Azerbaijani protests. Turkey and Azerbaijan organize large-scale military exercises following the clashes, and tensions persist until the beginning of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War 2 months later. 29–133 killed
Second Nagorno-Karabakh War  Azerbaijan
Supported by:
 Turkey
 Israel
 Armenia Republic of Artsakh 27 September 2020 10 November 2020 Azerbaijan retakes most of the territories previously controlled by the Republic of Artsakh. Russian peacekeepers introduced into the remaining disputed area. 7,000 killed
Armenia–Azerbaijan border crisis  Azerbaijan
Supported by:
 Turkey
 Armenia 12 May 2021 present Border clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia. 353 killed
Blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh  Azerbaijan  Republic of Artsakh 12 December 2022 October 2023 Azerbaijan blockades the Republic of Artsakh. Unknown
2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh  Azerbaijan  Republic of Artsakh 19 September 2023 20 September 2023 Azerbaijan launches an attack on the Republic of Artsakh after nine months of blockade. The Artsakh Defence Army disbands, the government of the Republic of Artsakh agrees to dissolve itself entirely by January 1, 2024, and almost the entire population of Artsakh flees to Armenia. 200 killed

Eastern Europe

Conflict Parties Start End Detail Fatalities
Gagauzia conflict Gagauz Republic  Moldova 12 November 1989 14 January 1995 Ended in the reintegration of Gagauzia into Moldova as an autonomous region. Unknown
Transnistria conflict  TransnistriaRussia/ Russia
 Moldova
Supported by:
 Romania
/ Ukraine
2 September 1990 present Ongoing political conflict. Its major escalation was the Transnistria War of 1992. Unknown
Transnistria War  Transnistria Russia
Diplomatic support:
 Ukraine
 Moldova
Supported by:
 Romania
1 March 1992 21 July 1992 The Transnistria War started due to fear from Transnistria's population to a potential unification with Romania. Heavy fighting started 1 March 1992 after the political struggle. A ceasefire between Russian and Transnistrian forces and Moldovan forces has been in place since 1992, enforced by the presence of Russian forces in Transnistria. 1,000 killed
1993 Russian constitutional crisis Russia Russia Pro-Yeltsin forces Russia Russia Pro-Supreme Soviet forces 21 September 1993 4 October 1993 Political stand-off between the Russian president and the Russian parliament that was resolved by using military force. 147 killed
Euromaidan and the Revolution of Dignity Ukraine Government of Ukraine
Anti-Maidan
Supported by:
 Russia
Ukraine Opposition
Supported by:
 European Union
21 November 2013 22 February 2014 Euromaidan is the name given to civil unrest that started when the Ukrainian government cancelled an association agreement with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia. The protests escalated and led to the Revolution of Dignity, which toppled the Ukrainian government. 121 killed
Russian invasion of Crimea  Russia Republic of Crimea  Ukraine Autonomous Republic of Crimea 20 February 2014 26 March 2014 In February 2014, Russia invaded Crimea. In March, following the takeover of Crimea by pro-Russian separatists and Russian Armed Forces, a referendum (not recognised by the new Ukrainian authorities) was held on the issue of reunification with Russia. This took place in the aftermath of the Revolution of Dignity. Russia then annexed Crimea on 18 March. 3 killed
2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine Donetsk People's RepublicLuhansk People's Republic Pro-Russian separatists
 Russia
 Ukraine 22 February 2014 2 May 2014 As a result of the revolution in Kyiv, a pro-Russian unrest in the eastern regions of the country escalated into mass protests and violence between the pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian activists. In Crimea, the events served as a pretext for a Russian annexation of the region. In Donbas, the situation quickly escalated into a war. Protests in other regions included seizure of government buildings in Kharkiv and deadly clashes in Odesa. Unknown
War in Donbas  Donetsk People's Republic Luhansk People's Republic Russia  Ukraine 6 April 2014 24 February 2022 As a result of the unrest, a full-fledged war began in the Ukrainian Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, known collectively as Donbas. The separatist "people's republics" captured a strip of land on the border with Russia. Major combat ended with the signing of the second Minsk agreements in early 2015, with a stalemate lasting until the start of the full-scale invasion by Russia of February 2022. 14,000 killed
Russian invasion of Ukraine  Russia
Supported by:
 Belarus
 CSTO
 North Korea
 Syria
 Iran
 Eritrea
 Cuba
 Venezuela
 Myanmar
 Mali
 Ukraine
Supported by:
 United States
 NATO
 European Union
 United Kingdom
 France
 Germany
 Netherlands
 Italy
 Spain
 Czech Republic
 Poland
 Denmark
 Finland
 Sweden
 Turkey
 Canada
 Mexico
 Australia
 South Korea
 New Zealand
 Morocco
 Pakistan
 Georgia
 Israel
 Moldova
 Belarusian Democratic Republic
Russian Anti-Putin Opposition
Chechen volunteers
24 February 2022  present On 24 February 2022, the Russo-Ukrainian War escalated when Russian forces began bombing Ukrainian cities. After the bombings, Russian troops launched an operation on Ukrainian soil and began sending in troops on Ukrainian territory, launching a 'full-scale' invasion. This invasion was supported militarily by the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic and non-militarily by Belarus. Ukraine received military aid from the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and other countries from the Western world. On 30 September 2022, Russia, amid an ongoing invasion, annexed four oblasts of UkraineLuhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, which were not fully under Russian control at the time. The annexation is the largest in Europe since World War II, surpassing Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. See fatalities
2023 Belgorod Oblast incursions Russia Russian government Freedom of Russia Legion
Russian Volunteer Corps
Other Russian, Belarusian, Polish, and Chechen militant groups
 Ukraine (alleged by Russia, denied by Ukraine)
22 May 2023 Present Pro Ukrainian Armed Rebels Invasion Of Russia Unknown
Wagner Group rebellion Russia Russian government PMC Wagner 23 June 2023 24 June 2023 Mutiny of Wagner PMC against the Russian government 15–31 killed

See also


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