Mock-up of Shusha liberation operation presented at Azerbaijan's Museum of Military History PHOTO

A unique map showing the routes of the Azerbaijani Army on its way to liberate the city of Shusha during the 44-day Patriotic War has been displayed on the first floor of the Museum of Military History of Azerbaijan. A model of the operation, which went down in world military history, was prepared by employees of the museum on the basis of stories of fighters of special troops. Elite forces of our army liberated Shusha practically without the use of artillery and firearms, climbing steep cliffs and making their way through impassable forests.

"Special Forces fighters told us that the Supreme Commander-in-Chief President Ilham Aliyev had ordered to liberate Shusha without any damage to the city. Therefore our army entered the town using special tactics that took the enemy by surprise. The model created on the basis of stories of fighters of special forces is kept on the first floor of a museum. We showed on the mock-up how representatives of our elite forces entered Shusha from the mountains and their combat routes. This mock-up is of great interest to visitors," Gulshanda Mammadova, a researcher at the Museum of Military History of Azerbaijan, told Azertag.

One of the most interesting sections of the museum is the Modern Age Hall, which features exhibits reflecting the battles for Karabakh. Here visitors can see military accessories of the branches of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, a stand dedicated to the Khojaly genocide, as well as stands on the battles for Kalbajar, the April battles, and the Gunnuk operation.

There is also a stand in the hall devoted to the life and activity of national leader Heydar Aliyev. Photos reflecting the national leader's life path are displayed here. Information is also presented about the national leader's works performed in the field of army building and the care and attention of President Ilham Aliyev.

A stand on the battles for Kalbajar shows how on March 26, 1993, Armenian armed formations, totalling six regiments, launched an offensive on the area, recounting the heroism shown by the 701st Self-Defence Brigade.

The museum also has a stand on the April battles. It displays the flag that soldiers of the valiant Azerbaijani army hoisted on Laletepe hill. One of the most interesting exhibits is the personal belongings of Officer Javid Dedekishiyev, who heroically perished in the April battles. In addition, the museum displays clothing samples belonging to the National Hero of Azerbaijan, Lieutenant Colonel Murad Mirzoyev, and Lieutenant Colonel Sanan Akhundov.