FACTOMETER
en
ру
հյ
Today, October 8, the city of Shushi was twice shelled by the Azerbaijani armed forces.
As a Fip.am journalist reports from Shushi, the first strikes from the Azerbaijani side were inflicted on St. Ghazanchetsots Church, the symbol of Shushi. The church, which was restored after the war in 90s has suffered serious damage from today’s rocket fire.
Children and women were found in the church shelter, but fortunately no one was injured.
However, after the second strike at St. Ghazanchetsots there were casualties including journalists covering the conflict.
Immediately after the start of hostilities on September 27, Azerbaijan targeted the civilian population of Artsakh, holding the capital Stepanakert as well as the cities of Hadrut, Martuni, Martakert and other settlements in Artsakh under fire.
Since October 4, the Azerbaijani armed forces have regularly targeted Shushi, which is the cultural and spiritual center of Artsakh.
One of the strongest strikes was inflicted on the city house of culture which was completely renovated in 2017. Today it has almost turned into ruins.
There was one civilian casualty during the first rocket attack on Shushi.
Days after the first strike Azerbaijan fired another missile in the direction of Shushi. Smerch rockets were found near the house of culture.
In fact, Azerbaijan regularly targets the city’s cultural and spiritual sites. While walking around the city, you can see Smerch rockets in different places. For example, this one was only 100 meters away from a residential building.
Another Smerch rocket landed in the yard of the Baghyans’ detached house, fortunately no one was there. Returning home from shelters, the family members found the rocket in the yard of the house.
The Shushi hospital was also targeted by Azerbaijan, and the windows were almost completely destroyed by the missile.
The consequences of the shelling carried out by Azerbaijan is visible everywhere in the city of Shushi – collapsed buildings and structures. The city, where there is no military facility, is constantly targeted. The civilian population took refuge in shelters from rocket shells.
Ani Grigoryan
