Precise Counterstrike at the Necessary Moment Will Have a Destructive Collapse Effect for the Adversary: Prime Minister

For already a month, Turkish-Azerbaijani-terrorist forces have been waging war against Artsakh and the Armenian people. During this time, thousands of shells, rockets, and millions of drones have rained down upon the Artsakh army and its population. The adversary has attacked with tanks, airplanes, helicopters, terrorists, mercenaries, and special forces from Turkey and Pakistan. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this in a message addressed to the nation today.

"A month ago, they set out to quickly conquer Artsakh, to destroy it, to bring it to its knees. However, Artsakh today is standing tall, even if wounded, and this is primarily thanks to our heroic army, our heroic people, our heroic individuals. This brutal yet heroic course gives us confidence that Artsakh will remain standing because the spirit is unbreakable, and our will is steadfast.

The war has entered a phase where every moment of its continuation tosses the adversary, who consistently breaks the ceasefire, into disarray, shattering its illusions. The Azerbaijani military-political leadership has fed its own public with victorious news to such an extent that they have been waiting every day, every minute for news of their final and irreversible victory over Artsakh. However, the Azerbaijani public will not receive this news, and the endless expectation of this news will erode their plans to conquer Artsakh.

The people of Artsakh and the Armenian people will fight selflessly for every tree, every stone, every centimeter, and every millimeter. A precisely delivered counterstrike at the necessary moment will have a disastrous collapse effect for the adversary. It is the task of the Artsakh Defense Army to prepare for this moment, and we must support it in every way, be its wings and backbone.

To solve these challenges, we require an exceptional gathering and discipline of popular forces. In a state of military emergency, especially in combat conditions, orders must be executed unconditionally and without discussion. Those who do not execute orders or undermine the will to execute orders must face the harshest punishment, liability, and public disdain. No justification should serve as an excuse for them, because the fate of the homeland and the people is at stake, and we cannot afford the loss or depopulation of Artsakh."

Dear people,

I am aware that my speech yesterday has elicited quite contradictory assessments and, frankly, I hope it does not seem strange, but I am pleased about it. That speech had two purposes: to demonstrate the constructiveness of the Armenian side to the international community and to illustrate the determination of the Armenian people to fight uncompromisingly for the rights of Artsakh.

Both of these objectives have been fully resolved in a somewhat unusual but sufficiently effective manner. I would like to thank all of you for your determination. The task now is to transform the energy generated from yesterday's speech into concrete action—all together for Artsakh. This is the logic that must prevail these days.

During these days, the entire state system is working to eliminate organizational gaps and enhance the efficacy of the actions of each component. Our capacities are not limitless; however, the Artsakh Defense Army has sufficient weapons and potential to address the challenges it faces. Yes, we have many enemies in the world, but we also have friends who stand by us in difficult times, have stood by us, and will stand by us. The grateful Armenian people will never forget that attitude.