Leonid Azgaldyan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leonid Azgaldyan
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| Born | 22 November 1942 Tbilisi, Soviet Georgia |
| Died | 21 June 1992 (aged 49) Martakert, Nagorno-Karabakh |
| Allegiance |  Armenia |
| Years of service | 1990–1992 |
| Awards | Combat Cross of the First Degree |
| Website | azgaldyan.am |
Leonid Rubeni Azgaldyan (Armenian: Լեոնիդ Ռուբենի Ազգալդյան) was an Armenian physicist. He was born on November 22, 1942, and passed away on June 21, 1992. He became a very important military leader during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War. He is most famous for helping to create and lead a special military group called the Liberation Army.
Leonid Azgaldyan's Early Life
Leonid Azgaldyan was born in Tbilisi, which was then part of Soviet Georgia. His family was from a town called Gavar in Armenian SSR.
In 1959, he finished school in Yerevan. The next year, in 1960, he started studying physics at Moscow State University. He later moved to Yerevan State University and finished his studies there with high honors. He specialized in radiophysics, which is a field of physics dealing with radio waves.
After college, Leonid worked in different areas of the Soviet economy. He focused on how to plan things better and use computers to help government systems and scientific research.
Becoming a Military Leader
Leonid Azgaldyan was one of the first people to support the Karabakh movement. This movement was about the people of Nagorno-Karabakh deciding their own future. He was also a very important military planner.
In 1989, he became a commander of a group called the Army of Independence. This group was involved in fights with Soviet and Azerbaijani authorities. This happened in both the Armenian SSR and the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast. The group was later dissolved in August 1990.
Starting in February 1990, Leonid planned and organized ways to protect different areas of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. He was very important in defending a place called Vardenis. He also led the first attack against Azerbaijani military posts in Nyuvadi. He helped stop the Soviet army from entering Yerevan after some clashes.
The Liberation Army
Later, Leonid moved to Nagorno-Karabakh. He took part in important battles in places like Getashen, Shahumian, and Martakert.
In June 1991, he worked with Hovsep Hovsepyan to create the Liberation Army. This was a special operations force. Their main goal was to protect the Armenian people living in Nagorno-Karabakh and help them decide their own future.
His Legacy
Leonid Azgaldyan was killed on June 21, 1992. This happened in Tonashen village, which is in the Martakert district of Nagorno-Karabakh.
After his death, he received important honors. He was given the Order of the Combat Cross of the First Degree. In 2019, he was also given the title Hero of Artsakh. These awards recognize his bravery and service.
