Masis Harutyunyan Died Saving 30 Soldiers' Lives

This day marks the memory of Senior Lieutenant Masis Harutyunyan, a participant of the 44-day war, on the second anniversary of his death. Masis Harutyunyan was born on December 22, 1995, in Myasnikyan village, Ararat province. He enrolled in the Military University named after Vazgen Sargsyan in 2014 and was commissioned as a lieutenant in 2018. Since 2020, he had served as the commander of a rifle battalion of the NKR Defense Army.

When the war broke out, Masis was at home but immediately returned to his position upon alert. Throughout the 27 days of conflict, he did not concede any positions and did not suffer any casualties.

In 2020, Masis and his battalion moved to the villages of the Martuni region, driving back an enemy diversionary group of 150 personnel. Senior Lieutenant Harutyunyan fell on October 23, 2020, in the Verin Delagharda area due to enemy shelling, having saved the lives of 30 soldiers.

Soldier Varos Khachatryan shares memories of Masis: "There was no familial or blood relationship between Masis and me; we met during our service, but everyone knew of our close bond. I was not the only one; every soldier received personal attention from him, not just from our battalion but the entire brigade. Everyone respected and loved Masis, considering him a senior friend, as he was always ready to listen, understand, and help. If you ask other soldiers, they will have their own stories about him. Masis was devoted to his family; he had an indomitable spirit, was friendly, and would do the impossible for his friends. He was an exemplary person, standing by every soldier as an officer. Masis was a patriotic officer respected by everyone, from soldiers to generals. Lieutenant Masis did not know retreat or fear from the enemy; he was a soldier worthy of the Armenian spirit, and heroes like him won without retreating, fighting valiantly. My friend Masis fell heroically in battle for his family, for us, for his homeland, saving the soldiers who fought alongside him. I am happy to have shared months with you that I will remember for the rest of my life; Masis lives in my mind and memory," the soldier recalled.

Masis Harutyunyan was married and had one son.