One of the 13 captives is injured and in need of immediate surgery, two soldiers' remains in Baku: Boris Avagyan

“There is one injured Armenian soldier in Baku who requires surgery,” Colonel Boris Avagyan told “Factinfo.” The Ministry of Defense of Armenia had reported about 13 captives, one of whom is injured and currently in Baku. His health condition is such that he cannot be transferred at this time, and he will most likely have to undergo surgery in Azerbaijan.

“As far as I know, an agreement has been reached to operate on the soldier, stabilize his health, so that his transfer will be permissible. The Azerbaijani side has promised the Russian side to return the soldier,” said Avagyan.

Deputy Commander of the Southern Military District of the Russian Federation, Lieutenant General Rustam Muradov negotiated with Armenia and Azerbaijan the day before. A ceasefire has been maintained so far. Avagyan noted that serious efforts are underway with the mediation of the Russian side, and he hopes for a positive outcome.

“Negotiations are ongoing concerning the return of the established 13 prisoners of war, to bring them back home, and work is being done regarding 24 missing soldiers, to locate them and return them home,” he added.

On November 17, with the mediation of Rustam Muradov, a special flight transported the body of an Armenian soldier who participated in the fighting following the Azerbaijani military aggression on November 16 from Baku to Yerevan. We tried to find out whether the deceased soldier was on the list of captives or missing persons; Avagyan noted, “Before it was returned, the list had not yet been created. Muradov returned from Baku and has just compiled that list.”

When asked whether the Armenian Ministry of Defense had earlier reported a number of missing and captured persons, Avagyan stated that he believes the Ministry of Defense receives more information from the general than it provides. “There are 13 confirmed captives. 12 are not injured, one is injured. He has received medical assistance in Baku. One soldier's remains were returned by General Muradov. One was discovered by Colonel Gorin, who works there, and both have been confirmed by the Azerbaijani side to be in their possession and they promised to provide them,” added Boris Avagyan.