The leadership of Armenia and Artsakh visited Yerablur to pay their respects to fallen soldiers in honor of Armenian Army Day. They also bowed in front of the grave of the founder of the Armenian army, Vazgen Sargsyan.
Minister of Defense Davit Tonoyan spoke to reporters about problems in the army. “We are overcoming all problems. Believe me when I say that we are doing more than possible, and more than you can imagine. We are keeping the army’s combat abilities as suitable as possible.”
Aravot asked Tonoyan how in the past, when Nikol Pashinyan was still a deputy, he said that there are many people who have avoided military service, particularly those who avoided it due to health issues. Are they still avoiding service? “The government’s decisions have regulated that issue. Now, there are more soldiers being conscripted with limited abilities, which is also a problem. We need to do everything to ensure that healthy people serve in the army. As far as those who have limited abilities, we are trying to see what methods will work for them.”
When asked about how activists claim that the criminal atmosphere in the army still continues, and nothing is being done about it, Davit Tonoyan said, “Do you understand that we are doing everything possible to keep order among 18-27-year-old men? But sometimes incidents happen. Regarding criminals, there is a huge fight against them, and there will never be anymore self-proclaimed leaders.”
Hripsime Jebejyan
