Vlora Incident

After World War II, Albania came under communist leadership and, under Enver Hoxha's direction, the country grew to be one of the Soviet Union's closest allies in Europe. The Albanian government received financial and military assistance from the Soviet Union, which also helped to industrialize the nation.

However, in the 1960s, a rift developed between Albania and the Soviet Union as a result of divergent views on how to interpret Marxism-Leninism and the best method for implementing communism on a global scale. Albania criticised the USSR for being too accommodating towards the United States and its allies, and rejected the détente approach that the Soviet Union was pursuing with the West.[12][13][14]

In 1960-61, Enver Hoxha caused a rift with the Soviets after he aligned his military with China. Khrushchev hoped that Albania would serve as a military base on the Mediterranean Sea for "all the socialist countries" and provided equipment and training to the Albanian army, which included a fleet of twelve submarines. As a result of the rift the Soviet Union imposed economic sanctions on Albania, withdrew eight of the twelve submarines, broke up Soviet naval facilities at the Albanian port of Vlora, engaged in polemical exchanges with Albanian leadership and encouraged pro-Moscow leaders in Albania to stage a coup against Hoxha.[15] Among the conspiracy's ringleaders was Vice Admiral Teme Sejko, a senior Albanian military officer.[16] [17]Although the submarines withdrawal came shortly after the announcement of a trial against Sejko, it should not be assumed that the Albanians had prompted the Soviets to withdraw.[18][19]

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union tried to increase its military presence and influence outside of its boundaries, notably in the Mediterranean area. The stance of the Soviet Union in the Mediterranean was mainly intended to counter the United States and NATO, who maintained a sizable naval presence in the area. The Soviet Union was successful in increasing its naval presence in the Mediterranean. Albania was one instance of this, giving the Soviet Union a portion of its coastline as part of the latter's swift push into the Mediterranean.[20] While comparatively insignificant politically and economically to the Soviet Union, Albania allowed the country to establish a strong military base that housed marines and larger units similar to destroyers.[21][22]

The Albanians decided to use military force to take control of four of the twelve Soviet submarines.[23] The Soviets withdrew, recalling eight submarines.[24]

The Albanian leaders took open hostile action as the fleet withdrew in order to seize Soviet military equipment.

— Moscow radio[25]

After the Soviets tried to leave Albania, they were pursued by the Albanian Naval Force and threatened with gunships. The Albanian Navy stated that if the Soviets tried anything they would be killed. During this crisis, a group of Soviets were killed and a Soviet ship was destroyed by the Albanian army.[26]

Following these events, Khrushchev sought revenge on Albania. In 1962 he engaged with Warsaw Pact members on how they could launch an invasion of Albania. However, this plan failed because the Soviet Union had a conflict between the USA and NATO due to the Cuban crisis. Khrushchev also wanted to avoid such a military conflict with Albania.[27]

After the incident the Soviet Union lost access to the Mediterranean on the Albanian coast.[28]