Tomorrow Marks One Year Since Misha's Service

In the N military unit located in the Azat village area of Gegharkunik province, a fire broke out in the engineering platoon barracks, resulting in the death of Junior Sergeant Misha Dumikyan. The 19-year-old Misha also participated in the September battles.

In an interview with News.am, one of Misha's relatives, Arus Dumikyan, shared that he was involved in strength triathlon and karate, and was recognized as a champion in tournaments held in Armenia and Black Sea countries. "Tomorrow marks exactly one year since Misha was drafted into the army. He was a very kind, bright, and intelligent boy. He was studying in the cultural studies department at Yerevan State University. He had a school-age brother and a preschool sister,” Arus Dumikyan said.

It is noteworthy that on January 19, around 01:30, a fire broke out in the barracks of the engineering platoon of the N military unit located in the Azat village area of Gegharkunik province. As a result of the fire, 15 servicemen died, and 7 were injured, four of whom were discharged after receiving medical assistance, while three were transferred to Yerevan's National Burn Center. The condition of two of them is assessed as serious.

Immediately following the incident, the commander of the 2nd Army Corps and 7 other senior military officials were dismissed from their positions. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated at a government meeting that a soldier filled the stove with gasoline, after which, when the fire engulfed him, he threw a 5-liter container of gasoline towards the barracks in a "self-defense instinct," causing the fire.

A criminal investigation has been initiated under Article 532, Part 4 of the RA Criminal Code (Violation of the rules for handling weapons, ammunition, military equipment, or other military property and materials, devices, or objects that pose a greater danger to the environment, resulting in the death of two or more persons through negligence).