Two of the 27 martyrs from the Volunteer Movement NGO Battalion were posthumously awarded the Order of the Combat Cross of the First Degree of the Republic of Artsakh for their exceptional courage and bravery in defending the borders of Artsakh during the war that began on September 27, 2020. The others were awarded the Medal of Courage.
The Secretary of the Security Council of Artsakh, Hero of Artsakh, Major General Vitaly Balasanyan presented the medals to their relatives at the Hakob Paronyan Theater. At the end of the solemn ceremony, Vitaly Balasanyan said, “Dear relatives, dear friends, back in 1988-1991 and 1991-1994 when the national liberation movement and struggle gained momentum, we were able to claim victories. Of course, we are sad today because we lost. But we will return everything except for our martyrs. I am confident that in a short period of time, we will overcome all difficulties, whether political, military, social, or economic.
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At the same time, I want to express my deepest respect and gratitude to the families of those who participated and died in the war. I trust that the womb of the Armenian woman will never dry up, and they will always give birth to heroes. Rest assured, we have enlisted in the army and we will win even in the most difficult situation in a short period of time. There is something imperative in the eyes of the children in this room. Dear children, be assured that we will give you a victorious country.”
Ashot Hakobyan
