The Last Days of Stepanakert

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The Last Days of Stepanakert

Photographer: Ricardo Garcia Vilanova

 

An unresolved decades-old conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a mostly ethnic Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan near the border between the two countries, flared up on September 27, resulting in the killing of thousands of soldiers and civilians on both sides over the next six weeks.

The latest escalation of violence was the worst seen since the 1990s, turning Stepanakert - the de facto capital of the breakaway state, which calls itself the Republic of Artsakh - into a fading and besieged city.

Civilians bore the brunt of the heavy shelling from the nearby battle front that destroyed some parts of the city. In the final days before the ceasefire, funeral ceremonies, held against the backdrop of loud bomb blasts, had to be shortened to just a matter of a few minutes without the proper Armenian orthodox religious rites. The town’s priests had already been evacuated, along with the women and children, leaving the bereaved without the chance to properly bid farewell to their fallen loved ones.

The few remaining survivors who refused to leave were forced to seek shelter in basements. Families had to share cramped living quarters as the loud shelling got ever closer, while the constant stream of wounded soldiers returning from the battlefront soon overwhelmed the city’s hospital and overburdened medical workers, who were forced into heartbreaking decisions of who to treat based on their survival prospects. Those deemed beyond saving were tragically left to die.

As the city slowly emptied and the conflict hurtled towards a conclusion thanks to an internationally-mediated ceasefire on the midnight of 10 November, the last remaining soldiers and their battered relatives gathered what few belongings they had and abandoned the place they once called home.

Aside from the obvious loss of life and destruction, the less visible casualties of the conflict were the countless children who will grow up scarred by the trauma of six weeks of incessant bomb attacks on their home.

A bridge on one of the main access routes to Nagorno-Karabakh from the Armenian side is barely standing after one month of fighting in Stepanakert, 30 October 2020. This border crossing, around two hours from Stepanakert, had been abandoned. There was nobody to be found in the area despite thousands of people fleeing from the region during the six weeks of the conflict. EPA-EFE/RICARDO GARCIA VILANOVA

A bridge on one of the main access routes to Nagorno-Karabakh from the Armenian side is barely standing after one month of fighting in Stepanakert, 30 October 2020. This border crossing, around two hours from Stepanakert, had been abandoned. There was nobody to be found in the area despite thousands of people fleeing from the region during the six weeks of the conflict. EPA-EFE/RICARDO GARCIA VILANOVA

The damaged frame of a house shows the effects of days of shelling in Nagorno Karabakh, in Stepanakert, 31 October 2020. Although only some isolated areas in Stepanakert were directly targeted by the Azerbaijani forces, the effects of the battle were easy to spot. According to the Nagorno Karabakh Human Rights Ombudsman, some 14,000 homes and civilian properties were damaged in the conflict. EPA-EFE/RICARDO GARCIA VILANOVA

The damaged frame of a house shows the effects of days of shelling in Nagorno Karabakh, in Stepanakert, 31 October 2020. Although only some isolated areas in Stepanakert were directly targeted by the Azerbaijani forces, the effects of the battle were easy to spot. According to the Nagorno Karabakh Human Rights Ombudsman, some 14,000 homes and civilian properties were damaged in the conflict. EPA-EFE/RICARDO GARCIA VILANOVA

A father cries over the death of his son, a member of Nagorno-Karabakh forces, on the battlefront in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, 02 November 2020. A flag of the self-titled Republic of Artsakh covers the coffin and just a few soldiers accompanied the devastated man. In the final days of the conflict, funerals in Stepanakert could barely last a few minutes due to the constant shelling. No religious leaders or priests were available, since they already had been evacuated from the city along with the women

A father cries over the death of his son, a member of Nagorno-Karabakh forces, on the battlefront in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, 02 November 2020. A flag of the self-titled Republic of Artsakh covers the coffin and just a few soldiers accompanied the devastated man. In the final days of the conflict, funerals in Stepanakert could barely last a few minutes due to the constant shelling. No religious leaders or priests were available, since they already had been evacuated from the city along with the women and children. The rituals of the final farewell were a heartbreaking moment that would only last time enough to start crying for the loss. According to the belligerents, more than 5,000 soldiers were killed on both sides in the 45 days conflict that ended in November with an agreement sponsored by Russia. EPA-EFE/RICARDO GARCIA VILANOVA

Volunteers troops take cover in a basement of a building in Sushi, which was the subject of heavy shelling during the final days of the conflict in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, 02 November 2020. The city was a crucial strategic enclave for the Battle of Stepanakert as it sits on the hill that overlooks the capital. The armistice agreement followed shortly after Azerbaijani forces took Sushi. The 2020 Upper Karabakh War is an ongoing armed conflict between the armed forces of Azerbaijan against Armenia and

Volunteers troops take cover in a basement of a building in Sushi, which was the subject of heavy shelling during the final days of the conflict in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, 02 November 2020. The city was a crucial strategic enclave for the Battle of Stepanakert as it sits on the hill that overlooks the capital. The armistice agreement followed shortly after Azerbaijani forces took Sushi. The 2020 Upper Karabakh War is an ongoing armed conflict between the armed forces of Azerbaijan against Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh in the Upper Karabakh region. The clashes began the morning of September 27, 2020. The images were taken in a hospital in an unknown location near Stepanakert, which was coming under shelling by Azerbaijani forces. The soldiers were wounded in the battle that was fought for the city of Sushi, which is 5km from the capital. Following the capture of Shushi, the second largest settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh, a peace agreement was signed between the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, and the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, which put an end to all hostilities in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone from 00:00 on November 10, 2020, Moscow time. EPA-EFE/RICARDO GARCIA VILANOVA

The last children left in Stepanakert leave the city in a van with their parents in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, 02 November 2020. These three children were the only ones left in the city because one of the girls had to be treated at the hospital. Once the battle threatened to take over the city, schools were closed and classrooms were emptied. Children who were able to travel were the first to be evacuated from the de facto capital of Nagorno Karabakh.The government of Azerbaijan has indicated that some

The last children left in Stepanakert leave the city in a van with their parents in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, 02 November 2020. These three children were the only ones left in the city because one of the girls had to be treated at the hospital. Once the battle threatened to take over the city, schools were closed and classrooms were emptied. Children who were able to travel were the first to be evacuated from the de facto capital of Nagorno Karabakh.The government of Azerbaijan has indicated that some 40,000 people were displaced in the last round of fighting, while the Armenian Government said around 70,000 people fled from Nagorno Karabakh. According to Unicef, at least 76 schools and kindergartens were damaged, and one maternity hospital was bombed. Unicef said the “horrific tally” of the conflict were the countless children being scarred by the psychological impact of over a month of daily rocket and missile attacks on civilian areas. EPA-EFE/RICARDO GARCIA VILANOVA

Two families live in the same house near the airport after one of them had to flee from their home which was destroyed by shelling in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, 06 November 2020. The dwelling, which has no windows after they were shattered by the blasts’ soundwaves, is located somewhere around the city’s airport. Only soldiers and their families remained in Stepanakert in the last days of the conflict. Life was spent entirely indoors and in shelters to be protected against the shelling and bombing of ar

Two families live in the same house near the airport after one of them had to flee from their home which was destroyed by shelling in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, 06 November 2020. The dwelling, which has no windows after they were shattered by the blasts’ soundwaves, is located somewhere around the city’s airport. Only soldiers and their families remained in Stepanakert in the last days of the conflict. Life was spent entirely indoors and in shelters to be protected against the shelling and bombing of artillery and drones. EPA-EFE/RICARDO GARCIA VILANOVA

Civilians take turns to collect rice, potatoes, sugar and other food staples from Stepanakert city hall against the soundtrack of daily blasts and bombs in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, 05 November 2020. With the city under siege and its stores all closed or emptied, local authorities delivered food rations to those who refused to flee the de facto capital of Nagorno Karabakh. EPA-EFE/RICARDO GARCIA VILANOVA

Civilians take turns to collect rice, potatoes, sugar and other food staples from Stepanakert city hall against the soundtrack of daily blasts and bombs in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, 05 November 2020. With the city under siege and its stores all closed or emptied, local authorities delivered food rations to those who refused to flee the de facto capital of Nagorno Karabakh. EPA-EFE/RICARDO GARCIA VILANOVA 

Wounded soldiers arrive at a hospital in Stepanakert from the battlefront in Shushi barely five kilometers away a few hours before the area fell into the hands of Azerbaijani troops in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, 06 November 2020. The wounded arrived uninterrupted at the hospital in groups of three or four in small vans. The health center was protected with sandbags and the windows marked with tape to prevent them from shattering to pieces. At the entrance of the hospital, a doctor would follow a triage

Wounded soldiers arrive at a hospital in Stepanakert from the battlefront in Shushi barely five kilometers away a few hours before the area fell into the hands of Azerbaijani troops in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, 06 November 2020. The wounded arrived uninterrupted at the hospital in groups of three or four in small vans. The health center was protected with sandbags and the windows marked with tape to prevent them from shattering to pieces. At the entrance of the hospital, a doctor would follow a triage protocol to pick and treat those with survival prospects due to the scarcity of remaining medical supplies and the sheer number of patients. EPA-EFE/RICARDO GARCIA VILANOVA

A soldier hands over his AK47 to a colleague before boarding an old Soviet-era van to head to the battlefront, in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, 07 November 2020. Soldiers moved around in old unmarked vehicles to escape the constant shelling of the Azerbaijani forces and drones flying in the air space above Nagorno-Karabakh. The war was an asymmetric conflict with a huge imbalance between both sides. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Azerbaijan spent more than 1.5 bi

A soldier hands over his AK47 to a colleague before boarding an old Soviet-era van to head to the battlefront, in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, 07 November 2020. Soldiers moved around in old unmarked vehicles to escape the constant shelling of the Azerbaijani forces and drones flying in the air space above Nagorno-Karabakh. The war was an asymmetric conflict with a huge imbalance between both sides. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Azerbaijan spent more than 1.5 billion euros in military supplies during 2019, compared to the 550 million spent by Armenia. EPA-EFE/RICARDO GARCIA VILANOVA

A soldier receives first aid at the hospital in Stepanakert after Azerbaijani forces shelled the surrounding areas in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, 07 November 2020. Wounded soldiers from the battle fought in the city of Sushi, 5 kilometers away from the capital, were taken into the facilities of the hospital. More than 5,000 soldiers on both sides and civilians died in Nagorno Karabakh in the days of the conflict that started on September 27. According to Nagorno-Karabakh officials, 1,177 of their troops

A soldier receives first aid at the hospital in Stepanakert after Azerbaijani forces shelled the surrounding areas in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, 07 November 2020. Wounded soldiers from the battle fought in the city of Sushi, 5 kilometers away from the capital, were taken into the facilities of the hospital. More than 5,000 soldiers on both sides and civilians died in Nagorno Karabakh in the days of the conflict that started on September 27. According to Nagorno-Karabakh officials, 1,177 of their troops and 50 civilians have been killed, The Armenian Government also reported at least 92 civilian deaths and more than 400 wounded. EPA-EFE/RICARDO GARCIA VILANOVA 

A seriously wounded soldier is treated by his comrades and medical personnel at the Stepanakert city hospital, in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, 07 November 2020. Dozens of wounded soldiers arrived from the battle that was taking place in Shushi, around 5 kilometers away from the de facto capital of Nagorno Karabakh in vehicles under constant shelling by Azerbaijani forces. Following the capture of Shushi, the second-largest city in Nagorno-Karabakh, a peace agreement was signed between the President of Aze

A seriously wounded soldier is treated by his comrades and medical personnel at the Stepanakert city hospital, in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, 07 November 2020. Dozens of wounded soldiers arrived from the battle that was taking place in Shushi, around 5 kilometers away from the de facto capital of Nagorno Karabakh in vehicles under constant shelling by Azerbaijani forces. Following the capture of Shushi, the second-largest city in Nagorno-Karabakh, a peace agreement was signed between the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, and the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, which put an end to all hostilities on November 10. EPA-EFE/RICARDO GARCIA VILANOVA 

A soldier, who moments earlier had arrived with wounded comrades, looks at a reflection of an image of Jesus Christ at the main entrance of the hospital in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, 07 November 2020. Soldiers and relatives waited for hours to learn about the wounded on the battlefront amid constant shelling. The conflict between Armenians and Azerbaijanis is one of the most complexes in the world, with ethnic and religious implications as well as competing international interests. The latest confrontat

A soldier, who moments earlier had arrived with wounded comrades, looks at a reflection of an image of Jesus Christ at the main entrance of the hospital in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, 07 November 2020. Soldiers and relatives waited for hours to learn about the wounded on the battlefront amid constant shelling. The conflict between Armenians and Azerbaijanis is one of the most complexes in the world, with ethnic and religious implications as well as competing international interests. The latest confrontation erupted at the end of September after months of increasing tension and the painful memories of the war in the 1990s and claims of atrocities on both sides. EPA-EFE/RICARDO GARCIA VILANOVA 

Civilians in their vehicles join thousands of others trying to cross the Armenian border after fleeing from the capital Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, 07 November 2020. On 07 November, Nagorno Karabakh’s de facto capital, Stepanakert, was evacuated completely. After more than a month of combat, the few civilians still in the city used the only route left to leave the region and reach the Armenian border. Vehicles, ambulances with wounded reached the border after Azerbaijani forces seized Shushi just 5 kilom

Civilians in their vehicles join thousands of others trying to cross the Armenian border after fleeing from the capital Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, 07 November 2020. On 07 November, Nagorno Karabakh’s de facto capital, Stepanakert, was evacuated completely. After more than a month of combat, the few civilians still in the city used the only route left to leave the region and reach the Armenian border.
Vehicles, ambulances with wounded reached the border after Azerbaijani forces seized Shushi just 5 kilometers away from Stepanakert. Three days later a peace agreement was signed between the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, and the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, which put an end to all hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh. EPA-EFE/RICARDO GARCIA VILANOVA