The First to Be Struck Was the Cable Car: Director of Jermuk Cable Car on Enemy Attack

The first strike by Azerbaijani forces in the Vayots Dzor region targeted the cable car in the city of Jermuk. Only after that did they attack the military unit, its warehouses, and all nearby areas of the city. This was stated in an interview with News.am by the director of the Jermuk community cable car, Armen Tadevosyan.

“We closed the cable car at midnight. As soon as we started moving, the first strike happened. An employee barely escaped. I sent him on his way, and I stayed behind. The cable car was specifically shelled with heavy caliber mortars. It was definitely targeted because they probably thought this was a strategic and dangerous structure, as the area where they have currently invaded is visible from the top of the cable car,” he said.

He noted that in Jermuk, the enemy used Grad systems, mortars, and drones. According to Tadevosyan, no one is currently allowed to ascend because there are unexploded ordnance.

“He could not specifically indicate how much damage had been done to the cable car. ‘The first substation was damaged. If the cables and supports up there were damaged, then at least around $200,000 worth of damage has occurred. The damages below are around $50,000,’ he said. ‘God willing, everything will calm down, and we will continue to operate,’” he added.

It is worth recalling that the cable car was built in 2007 and opened on January 1, 2008. On average, it attracted 25,000-35,000 visitors annually.