Map showing Russian political and military influence or interference as of 2023
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.[1]

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

ConflictPartiesStartEndDetail
Tajikistani Civil WarTajikistan/ Tajikistan
Russia/ Russia
 Uzbekistan
 Kazakhstan
 Kyrgyzstan
United Tajik Opposition
Jamiat-e Islami
 Afghanistan
al-Qaeda
Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan
5 May 199227 June 1997Began 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.[2]
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
Andijan massacre Uzbekistan Government Protesters in the city of Andijan 13 May 2005 Protest and government massacre in the city of Andijan in Uzbekistan
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.[3]
2010 South Kyrgyzstan ethnic clashesKyrgyzstan GovernmentEthnic Kyrgyz rioters
Ethnic Uzbek rioters
19 May 2010June 2010Clashes 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.
Insurgency in Gorno-Badakhshan (2010–2015) Tajikistan United Tajik Opposition19 September 2010September 2015Sporadic fighting in Tajikistan between rebel and government forces.
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
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.[4]
2020 Kyrgyz RevolutionKyrgyzstan GovernmentKyrgyzstan Opposition5 October 202015 October 2020Response to the 2020 Kyrgyz parliamentary election that was perceived by protestors as unfair, with allegations of vote rigging.
2021 Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan clashes Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan28 April 20211 May 2021Clashes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan over water dispute.[5][6]
2022 Kazakh unrestKazakhstan Government
 CSTO
Kazakhstan Opposition2 January 202211 January 2022Protests 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.
2022 Karakalpak protests Uzbekistan Karakalpakstan1 July 20223 July 2022Over 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.[7]
2022 Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan clashes Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan27 January 202220 September 2022Clashes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

North Caucasus

The breakaway republics within the Caucasus region.
ConflictPartiesStartEndDetail
East Prigorodny conflict North Ossetia-Alania
 Russia
 Ingushetia
30 October 19926 November 1992Inter-ethnic conflict in the Eastern part of the Prigorodny district.
First Chechen War Russia Chechen Republic of Ichkeria11 December 199431 August 1996Russian troops invaded after Chechnya declared independence, but withdrew in 1996 leading to a de facto Chechen independence.
War in Dagestan (1999) Russia Islamic Djamaat of Dagestan7 August 199914 September 1999The Islamic International Brigade invaded the neighbouring Russian republic of Dagestan in support of the Shura of Dagestan separatist movement.
Second Chechen War Russia Chechen Republic of Ichkeria26 August 199931 May 2000Russia restores federal control of Chechnya.
Insurgency in Chechnya Russia Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
Caucasus Emirate
1 June 200016 April 2009Separatist insurgency in Chechnya, Dagestan, and other parts of the North Caucasus region.
Insurgency in Ingushetia Russia Caucasus Emirate21 July 200719 May 2015Separatist insurgency in Ingushetia.
Low-level insurgency in the North Caucasus Russia Caucasus Emirate
 Islamic State
16 April 200919 December 2017Separatist insurgency in Chechnya, Dagestan, and other parts of the North Caucasus region.
Low-level Islamic State insurgency in the North Caucasus Russia Islamic State
Imam Shamil Battalion
20 December 2017Presentongoing terror activity of the Islamic State branch in the North Caucasus after the insurgency of the Caucasus Emirate.

South Caucasus

ConflictPartiesStartEndDetail
First Nagorno-Karabakh War Azerbaijan
 Soviet Union (1988–91)
Supported by:
 Russia
 Republic of Artsakh
 Armenia
Supported by:
 Russia
20 February 198812 May 1994The separatist conflict leads to de facto independence of Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic).
South Ossetia war (1991–1992) Georgia South Ossetia
Supported by:
 Russia
5 January 199124 June 1992The separatist conflict leads to South Ossetia's de facto independence from Georgia.
Georgian Civil WarGeorgia (country) Pro-Gamsakhurdia forces
Supported by:
Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
Georgia (country) Pro-Shevardnadze forces
 Russia
22 December 199131 December 1993The Military Council deposes first President of Georgia Zviad Gamsakhurdia and asks former Soviet leader Eduard Shevardnadze to lead the country. The supporters of the ousted president stage revolt, which is crushed with the help of Russian military.
War in Abkhazia (1992–1993) Georgia Abkhazia
Supported by:
 Russia
14 August 199227 September 1993Abkhaz separatism leads to the de facto independence of Abkhazia from Georgia.
War in Abkhazia (1998)Georgia (country) Ethnic Georgian rebels Abkhazia18 May 199826 May 1998Ethnic Georgians launched an insurgency against the Abkhazian secessionist government.
1998 Georgian attempted mutinyGeorgia (country) Shevardnadze GovernmentGeorgia (country) Pro-Gamsakhurdia forces18 October 199820 October 1998An abortive mutiny led by pro-Gamsakhurdia forces to remove new President Eduard Shevardnadze from power
2001 Kodori crisisGeorgia (country) Georgian guerrillas Abkhazia4 October 200118 October 2001Georgian guerrillas unsuccessfully try to regain control over Abkhazia with the help of Chechen fighters.
Pankisi Gorge crisis Georgia
Supported by:
 Russia
 United States
al-Qaeda
Chechen Republic of Ichkeria Chechen rebels
20022004An 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.
2004 South Ossetian clashes Georgia South Ossetia
 Russia
10 August 200419 August 2004Clashes between Georgian and South Ossetian troops result in several deaths.
2006 Kodori crisisGeorgia (country) Saakashvili GovernmentGeorgia (country) Monadire22 July 200628 July 2006Georgian police and special forces drive a local rebellious militia out of the Georgian-controlled Kodori Valley in Abkhazia.
Russo-Georgian War Russia
 South Ossetia
 Abkhazia
 Georgia7 August 200812 August 2008A 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.[8]
2009 Georgian mutinyGeorgia (country) Saakashvili GovernmentGeorgia (country) Mukhrovani Separate Tank Battalion5 May 20095 May 2009An alleged abortive mutiny by a Georgian Army tank battalion based in Mukhrovani village with a goal of removing President Saakashvili from power.
2010 Mardakert clashes Azerbaijan Armenia
 Republic of Artsakh
18 June 20101 September 2010Sporadic border war on the Armenian–Azerbaijan border and at the line of contact between the Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan.
2016 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Azerbaijan Armenia
 Republic of Artsakh
1 April 20165 April 2016Armenian 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.
July 2020 Armenian–Azerbaijani clashes Azerbaijan Armenia12 July 202016 July 2020Armenian 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.
Second Nagorno-Karabakh War Azerbaijan
Supported by:
 Turkey
 Israel
 Armenia
 Republic of Artsakh
Supported by:
 Russia
27 September 202010 November 2020Azerbaijan retakes most of the territories previously controlled by the Republic of Artsakh. Russian peacekeepers introduced into the remaining disputed area.
Armenia–Azerbaijan border crisis Azerbaijan
Supported by:
 Turkey
 Israel
 Ukraine
 Armenia
Supported by:
 Iran
 Syria
12 May 2021presentBorder clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh Azerbaijan Republic of Artsakh12 December 2022October 2023Azerbaijan blockades the Republic of Artsakh.
2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh Azerbaijan Republic of Artsakh19 September 202320 September 2023Azerbaijan 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.

Eastern Europe

ConflictPartiesStartEndDetail
Gagauzia conflict Gagauz Republic Moldova12 November 198914 January 1995Ended in the reintegration of Gagauzia into Moldova as an autonomous region.
Transnistria conflict Transnistria
Russia/ Russia
 Moldova
Supported by:
 Romania
/ Ukraine
2 September 1990presentOngoing political conflict. Its major escalation was the Transnistria War of 1992.
Transnistria War Transnistria
 Russia
Diplomatic support:
 Ukraine
 Moldova
Supported by:
 Romania
1 March 199221 July 1992The 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.[9]
1993 Russian constitutional crisisRussia Russia Pro-Yeltsin forcesRussia Russia Pro-Supreme Soviet forces21 September 19934 October 1993Political stand-off between the Russian president and the Russian parliament that was resolved by using military force.
Euromaidan and the Revolution of DignityUkraine Government of Ukraine
Anti-Maidan
Supported by:
 Russia
Ukraine Opposition
Supported by:
 European Union
21 November 201322 February 2014Euromaidan 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.
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,[10] a referendum (not recognised by the new Ukrainian authorities)[11] was held on the issue of reunification with Russia.[12] This took place in the aftermath of the Revolution of Dignity.[13] Russia then annexed Crimea on 18 March.
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.
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.
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
 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 presentOn 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.
2023 Belgorod Oblast incursionsRussia Russian government Freedom of Russia Legion
Russian Volunteer Corps
Other Russian, Belarusian, Polish, and Chechen militant groups
 Ukraine (alleged by Russia, denied by Ukraine)[lower-alpha 1]
22 May 2023PresentPro Ukrainian Armed Rebels Invasion Of Russia
Wagner Group rebellionRussia Russian government PMC Wagner23 June 202324 June 2023Mutiny of Wagner PMC against the Russian government

    See also

    Notes

    References

    1. Rusif Huseynov. Ukraine: Towards a frozen future?: The Politicon, 11 November 2015
    2. Tajikistan Civil War Global Security
    3. Shakarian, Pietro A. (30 April 2018). "The Significance of Armenia's 'April Revolution' - The Nation". The Nation. Archived from the original on Sep 17, 2018.
    4. ВААЛЬ, ТАМАРА (2020-03-27). "25 человек задержали по подозрению в массовых беспорядках в Кордайском районе - Аналитический интернет-журнал Vласть". vlast.kz (in Russian). Archived from the original on 5 May 2020. Retrieved 2021-05-17.
    5. "Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan forces exchange gunfire in worst border flareup in years | Eurasianet". eurasianet.org. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
    6. "Kyrgyz, Tajik security forces clash at border in water dispute". Reuters. 29 April 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
    7. BBC News (2022-07-01). "Uzbekistan Karakalpakstan: At least 18 killed in unrest over right to secede". Reuters. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
    8. "Statement by President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev". Russia's President web site. 2008-08-26. Archived from the original on 2 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
    9. "Trans-Dniester profile". BBC News. 26 December 2011. Retrieved 2017-06-18.
    10. "Meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club". Kremlin.ru. 2014-10-24. Archived from the original on 2015-04-15. I will be frank; we used our Armed Forces to block Ukrainian units stationed in Crimea
    11. "Treasury Designates Seven Individuals And One Entity Contributing To The Situation In Ukraine". US Treasury. 11 April 2014.
    12. "Crimea applies to be part of Russian Federation after vote to leave Ukraine". The Guardian. 17 March 2014.
    13. Simon Shuster (10 March 2014). "Putin's Man in Crimea Is Ukraine's Worst Nightmare". Time. Retrieved 8 March 2015. Before dawn on Feb. 27, at least two dozen heavily armed men stormed the Crimean parliament building and the nearby headquarters of the regional government, bringing with them a cache of assault rifles and rocket propelled grenades. A few hours later, Aksyonov walked into the parliament and, after a brief round of talks with the gunmen, began to gather a quorum of the chamber's lawmakers.
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