Transfers Will Be Made to Residents for Damaged Homes Restoration, Says Gegharkunik Governor

Due to Azerbaijan's recent aggression, we have destruction in three settlements. Schools, kindergartens, houses, and civilian infrastructures have been damaged. This was noted today, September 29, in Vardenis during a meeting with Armenian diplomatic representatives by Gegharkunik Governor Karen Saroyan.

“148 apartments have been damaged in Sotk, 12 in Kut, and two in Verin Shorja. At this moment, we have assessment sheets for almost all affected properties. In Sotk, seven homes are completely destroyed, and we face the issue of building new ones. In the coming days, transfers will be made to residents so that they can start the restoration of their apartments. During these days, due to bombardments, the educational process has not been conducted in all schools of 12 settlements, as well as in the schools of the consolidated community of Chambarak. A total of 7,702 students did not attend school, and 887 children missed kindergarten. Currently, classes are still not held in 12 schools due to safety concerns; the number of students in those schools is 1,245,” he stated.

According to the governor, after the bombardments began, they managed to organize some evacuation efforts, which is why there have been no civilian casualties. “However, we have had more than 10 injuries, one severe, two moderate, and the rest with minor injuries. Currently, due to the presence of Azerbaijani troops in our sovereign territory, agricultural activities are significantly impacted. Compared to the same period last year, about 3,000 hectares of sown areas have not been cultivated. At this moment, there is a risk that it will be difficult to harvest from the sown areas. The Marzpetaran and the community administration are doing everything possible to help the residents organize the harvest,” he said.

In conclusion, the governor assured those present that the people of Gegharkunik are firmly standing on their land and are ready to fight for it until the end. It is noteworthy that today representatives of diplomatic missions accredited in Armenia visited the communities of Sotk and Kut in Gegharkunik. Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Gnel Sanosyan informed them that in Sotk alone, 148 houses have been damaged.

Recall that on September 13, the Azerbaijani armed forces began large-scale aggression against the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia using large-caliber weapons, artillery, missile systems, and drones. The number of casualties and missing persons has reached 207, including three civilian fatalities, while the whereabouts of two civilians are considered unknown; 293 servicemen have been injured, seven civilians have been wounded, and 20 servicemen have been captured. The Azerbaijani armed forces targeted 36 settlements, including Goris, Sisian, Kapan, Jermuk, Vardenis, Tegh, and Geghamasar communities, resulting in partial or total destruction of 192 houses, three hotels, two schools, one medical facility, one entertainment hall, and four barns. Seven electrical infrastructures, five water infrastructures, three gas pipelines, one bridge, two roads, and one street were damaged. Two ambulances and four private vehicles were also targeted.