Tense Situation at Bagratashen Checkpoint: Around 130 Armenian Citizens with Russian Citizenship Stranded

A group of ethnic Armenians who are citizens of the Russian Federation have been stranded in Armenia for an extended period and are unable to return to Russia. According to SHAMSHYAN.com, the citizens attempted to travel in their vehicles but were not permitted to cross the Bagratashen checkpoint by the staff there.

A citizen who called reported, “We have approached both the embassy and the United Nations, but no steps have been taken from any side to allow us to leave. The issue is that many people have come and stayed in Armenia and cannot return to Russia. Currently, there are about 40 vehicles at the Bagratashen checkpoint, carrying approximately 130 people. We will remain here until a solution is found to our issue. There are 7-8 vehicles with children who have no place to stay, and they are neither providing assistance nor addressing our problem. Two weeks ago, we spoke with a representative of the Russian embassy in Armenia, presented our issue, and mentioned that the relevant program is not functioning properly; we cannot register, and those who are registered are not receiving any notifications. Our travel to Russia is neither organized by plane nor by bus.”

According to the caller, they have demanded a document from the Bagratashen checkpoint staff explaining the basis for preventing citizens from returning to their country. However, they have not provided any paperwork. “We want a document stating that the Armenian government and the Prime Minister have prohibited us from leaving. But I know that Nikol Pashinyan said that Armenia would not be an obstacle for citizens of another country to leave,” he said.

Staff members at the checkpoint have informed the gathered citizens that there is a decision in place which prohibits their departure. The staff urged the citizens to contact the embassy, and the embassy advised them to be patient while arrangements are made for their exit.