In 2018, We Had Fewer Casualties from Enemy Fire: Tonoyan

After the revolution in spring, we began to carry out extensive work in the Armed Forces. This was stated by Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan during a conversation with journalists at the presidential palace on the occasion of Army Day awards.

“In particular, we made changes to the requirements for combat training, more ambitious demands were set, and reforms were implemented in the field of logistical and multifaceted support of the armed forces,” the minister said.

Referring to the number of unfortunate incidents in the army compared to other years, he noted that, as the Minister of Defense, he would refrain from such comparisons; however, he continued, “But this year we have had very few casualties from enemy fire, and this is due to both political arrangements and the skilled tactics employed by our armed forces,” Tonoyan emphasized.

In response to the question of what actions are being taken to ensure the safety of soldiers' lives, noting that there were 68 casualties in 2018, he replied, “We are raising discipline, all activities aimed at security that are necessary to ensure the safety of soldiers as much as possible are being increased. We pay attention to interpersonal relationships, and we will also pay a lot of attention to the issues of soldiers with limitations, particularly those experiencing psychological problems, because suicides and many other problems occur among these servicemen.”