I created the Armed Forces that liberated Artsakh, but now they have been defeated; what is happening? N. Ter-Grigoryants speaks to 168 Hours

“Who is actually governing Armenia? Is anyone leading, especially the Ministry of Defense?” said Norat Ter-Grigoryants, a retired Lieutenant General of the Soviet and Russian armed forces and former Chief of Staff of Armenia’s Ministry of Defense, in an interview with 168.am regarding the situation at the Armenian-Azerbaijani borders, Armenia's application to the CSTO, and the recent news that six Armenian soldiers have been surrounded and captured by Azerbaijani armed forces in the Gegharkunik region.

General Ter-Grigoryants stated: “What has happened to our troops? What is this… it is outrageous! Why are we allowing Azerbaijanis to enter our territory? This is a violation; the army is responsible for the nation's security. Where is the Ministry of Defense? How have they organized defense? How are they maintaining the border? I know what has happened, and I am outraged; it is shameful, shameful.”

He emphasized that the current situation stems from poor agreements, disorganization, and misclarifications regarding the border. He noted that Aliyev is emboldened, as no one holds him accountable, stating, “he should be tried by a military tribunal, but nothing of the sort will happen. He is behaving arrogantly, mocking the Armenians, mocking Armenia. He acts like a street hooligan, shouting ‘Pashinyan’ at the television, and digesting it.”

According to Ter-Grigoryants, the Armenian side is not taking any action; Armenian soldiers are not fighting; they are standing by while Azerbaijani troops enter and capture our soldiers. “How does this happen? What kind of soldiers are these? I created an army that liberated Artsakh, defended the country for 30 years, and now this army has been defeated. I don’t know what they have done; criminals have come to power, and they are unmanageable, disorganized, and uncommitted… what is happening? What are you doing? I am outraged,” the general emphasized.

He also expressed surprise at how the defense minister and command are managing the situation, questioning how it is possible that a soldier can sit on a bench and be approached by an Azerbaijani soldier who says, ‘You are captured.’ Is it even possible for this to happen? Our soldiers are heroes; they fought bravely; how could this be allowed? There are borders, aren’t there? There are ‘barriers’; who is actually governing Armenia? Is there anyone in charge, especially in the Ministry of Defense? All the generals and officers have been removed from their positions; perhaps there is no one left to lead. Then remove the army if you cannot manage it. This is my opinion,” General Ter-Grigoryants said angrily.

When asked about Armenia's application to the CSTO, the Russia-based Armenian general remarked that there are no fools in this situation. “How can you apply, Mr. Prime Minister, to the CSTO if you cannot manage your own border? Do you wish for someone—Russians, Kazakhs, Turkmen, Uzbeks—to come and protect your border? There are no fools here; it is even shameful. If there were a war, that would be another matter; they wouldn’t have enough forces and would come to assist. But here there is no war; the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defense are responsible for security. Does this person even understand what security means? Does he actually command the Armed Forces? Is he setting tasks? Does he know where the troops are, where the commanders are, the division commanders, where are the units, and what is happening at all?”

He pointed out that the previously captured soldiers have not been returned either, questioning how those individuals became captives without receiving proper commands to return to their positions at the right time. “Strange things are happening in Armenia,” the general added.

He expressed deep sorrow, saying, “Because of this chaos, even Komandos died; his heart could not take it. I, along with my friends, created the Armed Forces, we liberated Artsakh, and for 30 years no one has approached Armenia, have you noticed that? I created a Russian enclave in the territory of the Republic of Armenia, stationed the 107th combat division, and set up a base, because we have no other ally than Russia. Our only ally is Russia,” concluded Norat Ter-Grigoryants.

He expressed outrage at the protests demanding the removal of the Russian base near the Russian embassy in Armenia. “And the 'Sasna Tsrer' and other ruffians come out against the Russian embassy and say, ‘Russians, take your base and leave.’ Sold for three dollars, useless people, while the authorities do not hold them accountable. You are turning your back on your only ally, a powerful nuclear state; what is this, is Aliyev now formidable? He sees that all around him are enemies of the Armenians, while Russia is the only ally, and Armenia is turning its back on that direction, and Aliyev comes towards Armenia, which cannot defend itself,” Ter-Grigoryants summarized the geopolitical situation.

And concluding his remarks, he stated, “What kind of nation are we, what kind of leaders are coming to power?” the newspaper writes.