What I Witnessed in the Stepanakert Hospital Shocked Me: A Resident's Account

Stepanakert resident Tigran Petrosyan writes: “At the moment of yesterday's border incident, I was at the Stepanakert hospital. Upon receiving the news, necessary measures were taken by the hospital and the relevant military medical unit to evacuate the injured and provide assistance; everything was done precisely, without panic and pathos.

However, what I witnessed during that time not only shocked me but also made me angry. Different 'colored' individuals began to gather from here and there—non-system officials, a high-ranking officer from the National Security Service with a bold demeanor, party members, deputies, and various others. Simultaneously, numerous pieces of misinformation began appearing online, along with calls and more, which incited panic among the citizens. Shortly thereafter, people started gathering in the vicinity of the hospital, whose cars obstructed the movement of medical service vehicles. Disagreements began to arise among those gathered, and it became necessary for police to arrive to maintain public order.

And you know what was the most absurd? Among the participants of this 'show' were people who, for various reasons, had avoided the 44-day war, yet they showed up yesterday with serious faces to 'express concern,' making emotional, patriotic posts and calls... This is our 'face,' which has also been one of the reasons for our defeat. In such a pathos-laden, formal atmosphere of concern, the medical service quietly and diligently carried out its mission. Health to our wounded…”