Sino-Soviet War

In 1960 relations between the Soviet Union and the People of Republic of China have been strained. In those years, the international reputation of the Soviet Union was in a downturn. Only ended the Cuban missile crisis, “achievements” of Czechoslovakia, and in addition to this, China presented to the Soviet Union its territorial claims.

The bone of contention was the island on the Ussuri River Damanski Soviet-Chinese border. This territory was still in 1858, Russian Empire “bought” from China, however, China’s leadership is not waived their claims to the island.

In 1960, Prime Minister of China Enlay announced the existence of a territorial dispute between his country and the Soviet Union. V1963, the Soviet authorities for the peaceful settlement tried to establish an interstate commission. However, the efforts of the Commission, established in 1964, were in vain. China at various levels applied diplomatic pressure on the Soviet Union.

Before reaching the goal diplomatic method, the Chinese have tried to simply seize the island. In this territory clashes between Soviet and Chinese border guards were commonplace, but this time the Chinese side has been determined. 1 March 1969 a few hundred Chinese soldiers occupied the island and shot the Soviet border guards. The Soviets, fearing the noise, did not immediately respond to the incident.

Only after an exchange of diplomatic notes, the Soviet leadership attempted to take serious steps: Motorized Infantry Division tried to take the island, but has already placed their battle positions the Chinese side, causing a powerful punch and keeps the island. In these battles, leadership of the Soviet Army for the first time to test the new T-62 tank – the result of the latest achievements of the military industry. However, it has not yet joined the battle tank was destroyed, and the Russian destroyed it, lest he got his opponent.

Prevent attacks of Soviet troops, the Chinese side tried to consolidate its success and on March 17 passed a massive attack. Large role played by the Soviet heavies – thanks to an artillery unit “Grad” in about 3 hours after the battle the Chinese attacking force was completely destroyed, lost about 2000 people. Thus, military action was completed.

However, the Soviet command had not benefited from occurring, and the island remained in the hands of the Chinese.

During the war the Soviet Army lost 150 men. Loss of China had been tenfold. This and spread among humans is a myth that the Soviet side in the war used the laser weapon, yet it was the usual setting “Grad”, which in those years was a powerful weapon.

In any case, China has partially achieved his goal and took the island Damanski in the USSR, which is recorded in 1969 in talks between Kosygin and Enlaem.

Vahe Antanesyan