Armenian Embassy in Russia Takes Steps to Organize Return of Citizens

On April 2, Vardan Toghanian, the Armenian Ambassador to the Russian Federation, spoke with Armenian citizens stranded at Domodedovo airport and discussed providing essential items. This was reported by the Armenian Embassy in Russia on its Facebook page.

"Throughout the day, embassy staff maintained contact with citizens stranded due to the canceled flights at Domodedovo airport on April 2. Ambassador Vardan Toghanian and envoy Boris Sahakyan spoke with them," the embassy's statement said.

Most citizens had left the airport area and moved to the homes of relatives by the previous day, April 2.

The issue of providing essential items was discussed with the travelers remaining at Domodedovo airport, who had come from various cities in Russia. In the evening of April 2, Vardan Toghanian and Boris Sahakyan established a video call with the citizens at the airport. They will also have a video call with them today, April 3, and embassy staff will visit them throughout the day.

One of the citizens remaining at Domodedovo airport released a video from the airport, showing other Armenian citizens and appealing to the Armenian government for assistance.

The Deputy Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, Alen Simonyan, immediately responded and contacted the Armenian Ambassador in Russia, Vardan Toghanian. "The Armenian Embassy in Russia is in contact with our citizens who could not return to Yerevan on April 2 due to canceled flights. Most have left the airport and are now with their relatives. A few remain in constant contact with the Armenian Embassy, which is addressing their urgent needs. A flight to Yerevan is expected to take place in the coming days," Simonyan wrote.

Arman Babajanyan, a member of the Armenian Parliament, also addressed the issue of citizens wishing to return to Armenia from Russia.

"Many compatriots continue to contact me for information about the possibility of returning to Armenia from Russia. I would like to inform you that the return of our citizens traveling from southern Russia (Sochi, Adler, Krasnodar, etc.) by vehicle to Georgia is currently impossible. The land entry at the Lars border crossing is closed indefinitely. The only remaining option to return to Armenia is by air, and the Armenian Embassy in Russia is trying to arrange charter flights in collaboration with the Armenian government for the upcoming Monday and/or Tuesday. All drivers wishing to return to Armenia by air must book their tickets through our embassy in Russia and arrive in Moscow to take advantage of the charter opportunities to return home," Babajanyan wrote, adding that he continues to gather information about citizens who have gone to work in various cities in Russia. He is passing this information to the Armenian Ambassador in Russia to organize the return of Armenian citizens who find themselves in difficult situations in Russia.