Pashinyan Addresses Claims of Open Airspace for Armenia and Artsakh: Devices Failed

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressed the issue of military armaments in his video message today, specifically responding to accusations that the airspace of Armenia and Artsakh was not closed, as demonstrated in the war.

"The air was 'closed' because in 2017, devices were acquired for the Armenian army at a cost of $42 million, which were supposed to keep the airspace secure. However, it later became clear that these devices simply did not function. The author of this purchase claims to make a sensational revelation, stating that he had been offered a kickback for the Su-30s, but he refused the deal. The question arises: were these non-functional devices purchased without a kickback? Who would believe that a $42 million device was bought out of honesty and goodwill?" Pashinyan stated.

The Prime Minister also addressed the accusations regarding the purchase of Osa-AK missile systems, for which they are blamed for acquiring ineffective systems. Pashinyan emphasized that during the war, many targets were hit with these systems, including drones.

In response to allegations that they had not purchased essential armaments for the army over the past 2.5 years, Pashinyan explained, "In 2.5 years, we needed to raise the salaries of soldiers, resolve issues regarding soldier food, uniforms, and shoes, buy shells that were lacking, acquire ammunition, and procure air defense systems and aircraft. We needed to buy everything that should have been purchased over the last 20 years but was not." He stressed that during this same period, building villas, buying individual homes in Europe, and accumulating millions in Swiss banks had been prioritized over equipping the army.

Pashinyan further addressed the opposition's claim that he made a decision regarding the army on the third day of the war, which had catastrophic consequences. "We have been searching for that decision for 15 days and cannot find it because no such decision exists," he asserted.

The Prime Minister stressed that he had made only one unilateral decision during the war, which has resulted in the seventh defensive zone still standing, as, according to him, some wanted to surrender that as well in a state of panic.

Pashinyan revealed that from the very first day of the war, certain individuals spread rumors at the front that the war was pointless and accused him of selling land. Meanwhile, some political circles promised unexpected developments in domestic politics. In his view, the primary reason for the defeat in war was that Armenia had been a corrupt state for 25 years, and a significant portion of the current elite had been solely focused on accumulating personal resources.

According to him, that same elite is today doing everything possible to keep many matters undisclosed. The Prime Minister indicated that the attacks on government buildings on the night of November 10 are also viewed in the context of this hypothesis.

Pashinyan promised to analyze all the mistakes of the war and the reasons for the defeat in a calm working environment, without manipulations or emotions.