Situation in Khoznavar and Kut

Azerbaijani soldiers have already been present in the sovereign territory of Armenia for 24 days. Since May 12, the adversary has invaded the regions of Syunik and Gegharkunik, advancing further days later. They are now digging trenches, creating infrastructure, and rotating their forces.

The head of the Khoznavar community in Syunik province, Varo Grigoryan, told NEWS.am that the adversary's military personnel are still at the same location and he has no information about their withdrawal. “They are standing in the same place where they have been; the situation in the village is calm. So far, no incidents have been recorded. Our hayfields are also under their control. They have been here for a month; if they were going to leave, they would have already left,” noted the village mayor.

Referring to Prime Minister acting Nikol Pashinyan’s proposal to place international observers in the Sotk-Khoznavar section and to withdraw the military units of both sides from their occupied positions, the mayor responded, “If that area becomes a security zone, then what will happen to our village? Will it become a security zone too? Should we give them Lake Sevan? The water from Goris comes from there, the drinking water for the villages comes from Lake Sevan, and now we are deprived. There is no irrigation water; it is pure water.”

In a conversation with NEWS.am, the head of the Kut community in Gegharkunik, Sima Chitchyan, also noted that the adversary has not withdrawn and remains at the same location: “They have come and stayed; there is nothing else. No incidents have occurred. They are neither advancing nor retreating.”

Regarding the adversary's actions, the community head said that from the village, it is not visible what work the adversary is doing there. “We do not see the work being carried out on their side; there are some dirt mounds visible, possibly for trenches, but that’s nothing new. We see that they are rotating their forces; a ‘Ural’ truck is visible, which transports soldiers back and forth,” she added.