2020 Ghazanchetsots Cathedral shelling

Significance

The shelling of Ghazanchetsots Cathedral on 8 October 2020 became one of the most internationally noted incidents of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War. The Holy Savior Cathedral in Shusha, struck twice by missiles with part of its roof collapsing, drew condemnation focused on the protection of cultural and religious heritage in the conflict. Armenia attributed the strikes to the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. The incident preceded the Battle of Shusha, a decisive engagement in the war, situating the cathedral shelling within the broader contest for a city of profound symbolic importance to both Armenians and Azerbaijanis.