Baku and Ankara Send Messages to Russia: Karen Hovhannisyan

The Russian military base number 102 located in Gyumri has been placed on high alert in connection with the Turkish-Azerbaijani military exercises "Winter 2021" that began in Kars on February 2.

In an interview with ArmDaily.am, military expert Karen Hovhannisyan stated that although no official statement has been released by the Armenian side, the official armed forces of Armenia are put on readiness during any ground exercises conducted by Turkey in areas adjacent to Armenia. He noted that while it may not be stating first readiness, we can say it is in a state of preparedness, and they are closely monitoring the situation.

“Regarding the Russian military base being brought to a high state of readiness, I assume it is exclusively a preventive measure. I believe Russia is sending a message to Turkey that conducting exercises in these areas is undesirable,” he said.

Hovhannisyan stated that he does not see much danger with this specific military exercise as he considers it part of Azerbaijan and Turkey’s military cooperation against Russia. “I think this has more of a propagandistic nature and conveys messages to Russia that Baku and Ankara are cooperating militarily in the region, suggesting that only they can create a military alliance in the region and can be the ‘decision-makers’ in the region,” he explained.

He emphasized that he would see dangers if the Turkish-Azerbaijani exercises were to take place in Nakhchivan, as provocations aimed at gaining positional advantages cannot be ruled out there. “Azerbaijan has attempted such provocations in the past and now presents itself from a position of strength and may resort to such provocations,” he noted.

It is worth mentioning that the exercises that started in Kars will conclude on February 12.