From the near-total demolition of Karin Tak to the destruction of churches and the Armenian Genocide memorial in Stepanakert, satellite images document the loss of Armenian heritage across Artsakh. Monument Watch attributes large-scale demolitions of settlements and cultural sites to Azerbaijani authorities.
Speaking on September 28, Artsakh Cultural Heritage Ombudsman Hovik Avanesov reported more than 1,000 cases of vandalism since 2020, including the destruction of more than 7 Armenian churches and around 10 villages. Approximately another 10 villages had been partially demolished, alongside extensive destruction of Stepanakert’s architectural heritage and residential neighborhoods.
In Stepanakert, Caucasus Heritage Watch confirmed that Surb Astvatsatsin Church, consecrated in 2019, was demolished between March 3 and April 2, 2026. It also documented the destruction of Saint Jacob Church and the Armenian Genocide memorial. The memorial, destroyed between July 14, 2025, and April 25, 2026, included a white marble bell tower housing a reliquary containing human remains brought from Deir ez-Zor.
Satellite images published in April 2024 showed the demolition of Surb Hovhannes Mkrtich, known as Kanach Zham, in Shushi, and the near-total destruction of Karin Tak, the historic Armenian village directly below the city. Azerbaijani forces seized the area during the 2020 Artsakh War.
In the Hadrut region, Surb Sargis Church in Mokhrenes was demolished in 2022. Monument Watch also recorded damage, looting and demolition in Togh, Mariamadzor and Tsamdzor. In Taghut, approximately a quarter of the residential structures visible in 2019 satellite images had been demolished by June 2023.
Azerbaijani lawmaker Elnare Akimova rejected reports of the Stepanakert church demolitions on April 22, 2026. RFE/RL published satellite imagery confirming both demolitions on April 27.
Monument Watch describes Azerbaijan’s large-scale demolitions as systematic, targeted destruction of Armenian heritage, removing physical traces of Armenian history and culture from Artsakh.
