What Happened with the Deployment of Russian Border Guards in Gegharkunik: Mane Gevorgyan Responds to 168

Since May 12, the enemy has breached the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, advancing several kilometers into the Syunik and Gegharkunik regions, justifying the move by claiming it is their territory and thus will not withdraw.

168.am inquired with Mane Gevorgyan, press secretary to Nikol Pashinyan, about the status of the deployment of Russian border guards, as Gegharkunik Governor Gnel Sanosyan had stated during a press conference on July 7 that the deployment of Russian border guards in Gegharkunik was just a matter of days.

“Why don’t you call the Ministry of Defense or the Governor of Gegharkunik to direct your questions to them?” Mane Gevorgyan replied.

When it was noted that this issue is being discussed at a higher level and that Nikol Pashinyan is meeting in Moscow, not the Governor of Gegharkunik, Gevorgyan stated: “If we are discussing the deployment of Russian border guards, I need to ask you to send a written inquiry so I can clarify and then respond. This is not a question I can answer on the fly… This is a rather sensitive issue…”

As for the question of why Nikol Pashinyan does not visit the villages where the enemy has been periodically firing, and where villagers continuously express dissatisfaction with the government's indifferent attitude, Mane Gevorgyan first clarified which village residents were complaining. Upon hearing that it was residents of Kut and Sotk and other villages, she replied: “As far as I know, both governors and representatives from the Ministry of Defense are frequently visiting, checking in, and are familiar with the situation, but I’m not saying this for publication.”

We informed Mane Gevorgyan that the purpose of the call was precisely to obtain her commentary, to publicize her words, to which she again said that we should send a written inquiry: “I will not respond to oral inquiries…”

It is worth recalling that on June 12, in the Vardenis community of Gegharkunik Province, Nikol Pashinyan addressed the deployment of Russian border guards in that area, stating, “We are in daily contact with our Russian counterparts. Their representatives have come and surveyed the areas and possible locations for deployment. Discussions are currently ongoing to clarify their potential deployment sites. This is the current situation.” Meanwhile, Gegharkunik Governor Gnel Sanosyan announced during his press conference on July 7 that the deployment of Russian border guards in the region was a matter of days, and that a joint process is underway regarding this initiative.