Preparations Underway for Stationing Russian Border Guards Along the Azerbaijani Border

Preparatory work is being conducted for the stationing of Russian border guards along the Azerbaijani border, stretching from Gegharkunik to Iran. Earlier, photos of military equipment bearing Russian flags moving in the Gegharkunik region of Armenia surfaced on the internet.

According to sources from Sputnik Armenia, these are reconnaissance groups of Russian border forces in association with servicemen from Russia's 102nd military base. Previously, Gegharkunik Governor Gnel Sanosyan informed Sputnik Armenia that trilateral negotiations are ongoing regarding the deployment of Russian military personnel along the entire border from Gegharkunik to Syunik, including the area near the village of Khoznavar, north of Goris.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, Artak Davtyan, noted that discussions are indeed being held about deploying Russian servicemen in the Gegharkunik region, but no final decision has been made yet. According to our information, preparatory issues related to the stationing of Russian border guards have been resolved; however, the Azerbaijani side has not yet provided consent.

It should be reminded that since May 12, Azerbaijani military forces have invaded the sovereign territory of Armenia in the area of the Black Lake in Syunik and in the border areas of Kut, Norabak, and Verin Shorja in Gegharkunik, attempting to establish a foothold there. Several rounds of negotiations have taken place under the mediation of the Russian side. The adversary currently has no intention of withdrawing.

Armenia has appealed to the CSTO and requested military assistance from Russia. The military-political leadership states that it wishes to resolve the issue peacefully but does not rule out the use of force if negotiations fail to yield results. On May 25, a serviceman, Junior Sergeant Gevorg Khurshudyan, was killed due to gunfire from the adversary in the area of the village of Verin Shorja in Gegharkunik.