What is Known About the Alternative Route Connecting Artsakh to Armenia

The new route leading to Armenia, which passes through the Lachin corridor, Hyn Shen, Mets Shen, and Kanach Tala settlements, is already ready up to the Armenian border. Haik Khanymian, the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Artsakh, provided details about the organization of traffic along the alternative road and the construction of new infrastructure in an interview with Artsakh Public Television.

According to the minister, the 11-kilometer stretch of road from the border of Armenia to Korindzor is still under construction. “On August 1, a tender was organized in Armenia, as a result of which three companies will begin the construction of this road section. It is anticipated that after the closure of the existing road, we will attempt to connect to the highway through a 3-4 kilometer dirt section from the Armenian border, thus temporarily addressing the issue until the road is built in the Armenian part,” Haik Khanymian detailed, emphasizing that the new route will operate under the logic of a corridor.

“The 5-kilometer section of the road will be completely under the control of Russian peacekeeping forces. Just like in the Berdzor-Aghavno corridor case, there will be no Azerbaijani troops or other servicemen present here,” he stressed.

According to the head of the department, infrastructure supplying Artsakh must also be built adjacent to the alternative road. He assessed that time is short, but work will continue even after the route changes. “Currently, design work is underway for the communication and high-voltage line along this alternative road, but it is not the case that all infrastructures on the currently operating road pass entirely through safe areas. Most of them still pass through areas under Azerbaijani control. Therefore, some flexibility, negotiations, and active participation from the Russian peacekeeping contingent are necessary to regulate all this,” H. Khanymian stressed, adding that active involvement of the peacekeepers is expected during the operation of the new route. According to the minister, it must operate entirely within the responsibility zone of the peacekeeping forces.

Addressing the issue of infrastructure security that passes through areas under Azerbaijani control, the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure noted that the enemy is quite close to Artsakh's vital infrastructure, settlements, and roads, thus there is always concern about potential encroachments from them. Nevertheless, considering probable and specific scenarios, corresponding preparatory work has also been carried out.

As is known, Azerbaijan recently demanded through the Russian peacekeeping forces the release of the Lachin corridor by August 25, asserting that it has built its section of the alternative road.