Recruitment Officer Approaches Bus, Conducts Naming Ceremony, Wishes Safe Journey to Hadrut, Mantashev Recalls

It was around 2 PM when the recruitment officer approached the bus, conducted a naming ceremony, wished for safe travels, and the direction was Hadrut. This was reported by Narek Mantashev, the chairman of the 'Alternative' NGO, on his Facebook page.

“The journey was not short, there was plenty to think about: the number of calls was indescribable and constantly distracted me from deep thoughts. There were three types of calls; my friends were encouraging, promising they'd come after, filling me with spirit and belief. Today's ringing in my ears echoes with the words 'the dying will betray...' from Sevak. Serge was calling every 5 minutes—where are you, what’s going on, I'm coming a bit late... Friends and relatives were also calling, mostly asking if I needed anything and where I was heading... Most importantly, my family, so as not to transfer their emotions to me, my mother and wife called one after another, whoever could speak without crying at that moment. How are you, Bales? Narek, where are you now...

Once I boarded the bus, a mutual friend introduced me to Karen, and we both did not know anyone else on the bus. To describe everyone on the bus just with words would be insufficient; so much emotion, masculinity, difference, courage, and determination were condensed in just a few square meters... Well, as is typical among such a group of men, drinking began on the way, in different small groups, then we all united like one big family... Each of us had our reasons to be drinking—one was overcoming fear, another was burying problems left in Yerevan with alcohol, and perhaps someone just loved to drink... I won’t hide it, our spirits warmed up, we sang, made noise, and motivated each other...

Finally, after a long journey, passing through various checkpoints and fighting to bond with each other, we arrived in Artsakh. Free Artsakh welcomed us... On the road, due to the experienced driver, the bus was driven in darkness without lights; it was a safety requirement, and immersed in total darkness, we reached the legendary aura of Hadrut...

At the military unit, there were only a few candles and a hand lamp. We registered, received uniforms, weapons, and respective attributes... A call came in—it was Serge. Narek, we’re coming, speak there at the military unit so we can register right away and all be together... The connection dropped. But since I also wanted to be together, I didn’t know how to manage my thoughts...

When we all received our respective gear, I met Paruyr and Djadz Rubo, father and son. Djadz Rubo said, ‘I came so I wouldn’t leave my son alone...’ Orders were given to go to the barracks to eat and rest... It was late. Karen and I found two free beds together, under the light of the phone we had a few pieces of food and went to sleep... What happened the next day... I will tell tomorrow...

And we didn’t know we were being taken towards a planned defeat...” Mantashev reminisced.