Conflict on the island of Damansky. In March 1969, the PRC and the USSR almost started the war because of a dispute over the Damansky Island. First, border guards of both states fought, and 10 days after that there was even a battle, because the Soviet military, contrary to the order, intervened in the conflict and opened fire on the Chinese from the Grad. Despite this, the USSR lost the island to China. Soon after, it became known that the conflict almost turned into a nuclear war, and only American diplomats saved it from it.