The Fall of Shushi is a Mystery: Seyran Ohanyan

In an interview with «Iravunk TV», former Minister of Defense, General-Major Seyran Ohanyan shared his expert opinion regarding the statements made by Russian-based analyst Sergey Kurginyan about Shushi.

Ohanyan remarked that the military operations in Shushi should be viewed as part of a larger defensive operation. He emphasized that the Azerbaijanis did not reach Shushi without prior actions in various locations along their route, including Horadiz, Hadrut, Jabrail, Karintak, and Karmir Shuka. The primary reason the adversary was able to reach Shushi was the lack of effective control measures in that direction.

“A primary command point should have been established with all its capabilities for reconnoitering the adversary, engaging them, implementing air defense, and organizing proper teamwork. This was not done. This was precisely the reason why the enemy was able to circumvent and reach Shushi through the mountainous and wooded areas,” he stated.

Ohanyan noted, “I was in Shushi, where I tried to support the formation of the volunteer army, and the command post that was established in Shushi was under bombardment—from the very start by the adversary. Subsequently, when the command staff of the NKR Defense Army decided to evacuate the command post, it was also under bombardment by Armenian forces, within the context of counter-offensive and counter-strike operations.”

When asked about how it fell and under what circumstances, Ohanyan admitted that he was not deeply aware since he left the area on the morning of November 5-6 after receiving orders for a change at the command post.

He was also questioned if he had heard discussions prior to leaving the command post that a retreat was necessary, otherwise “Iskander” would strike. “Such discussions did not take place, and I have only heard about the results of Iskander’s strikes to the extent that the public has,” he replied.

When pressed further, Ohanyan expressed, “You can say we either deliberately or inadvertently prepared fertile ground for Shushi to fall.” He remarked, “These operations and the measures conducted during them left me with the impression of staging. While I was there, I constantly tried to provide consultations to the leadership of Artsakh, but those remained unaddressed. The fall of Shushi is a mystery, hence I believe there is a need for serious investigation in the future.”

For more details, refer to today’s issue of the newspaper.