2023 October 18

Daily news wrap-up

Netherlands tested the first-ever satellite built in Armenia: Ready for Falcon-9 // Russia's ominous threat // Nagorno-Karabakh soldier recalls the battles // Gov't wants companies to build lots of houses // Anti-corruption
by ar_david_hh

---

TASS source: Russian government believes Armenia has chosen the path of Moldova and Ukraine, after Pashinyan's speech in the European Parliament

Russian government source: We consider Pashinyan's speech in the European Parliament absolutely irresponsible and provocative, especially in relation to Russia and AM-RU relations. We see how they are trying to turn Armenia into "Ukraine 3", if we consider Moldova as "Ukraine 2", and Pashinyan is very quickly following the path of Vladimir Zelensky. //

The media outlet belonging to PM Pashinyan's family responded with an article describing Russia's reaction as *"yet another hysteria"*. The article accuses Russia of abandoning *"ally"* Armenia after 2020.

Read the notable parts of Pashinyan's speech [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/17a8r7i/military_reforms_fortifications_armenia_europe/). It was highly critical of Russia, but also of the international community as a whole for allowing the ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. Pashinyan made it clear that he supports a pro-EU vector and that it's up to Europe to decide how close the AM-EU relations will become.

Shortly before this speech, Pashinyan gave a "preemptive" interview that some believe was done to soothe Russia's nerves. In it, Pashinyan said that he hasn't changed Armenia's foreign vector, that the current AM-EU cooperation is built on the CEPA agreement adopted by Pashinyan's predecessor and not him, and that Armenia has not officially left any of the Russian-led organizations under Pashinyan administration. The Kremlin responded to that interview positively at the time.

Former president of Georgia Mikhael Saakashvili has advice for Pashinyan: Putin won't forgive you, you must go all-in and cement the Eurointegration after removing the Russian military base and leaving CSTO. *"Good luck to you and good luck to the Armenian people."*

[source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/754515/փաշինյանը-գնում-է-զելենսկու-հետքերով․-մոսկվայի-բարձրաստիճան-աղբյուրն-արձագանքել-է-վարչապետի-ելույթին/) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/271675) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/271691)

Spanish Senate unanimously condemns military aggression carried out by Azerbaijan against Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh

THE STATEMENT: We strongly condemn the unjustifiable military operations carried out by Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani government has failed to comply with its obligations under the ceasefire statement of November 9 and the binding orders of the UN World Court.

We demand the immediate cessation of hostilities and recall that Azerbaijan has ratified the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide.

We express solidarity with the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh and convey this feeling to the Armenian community residing in Spain.

Azerbaijan must guarantee the rights and security of Nagorno-Karabakh and allow the entry of international observers and humanitarian aid. //

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/politics/spanish_senate_unanimously_condemns_military_aggression_carried_out_by_azerbaijan_against_armenians_/)

interview with a soldier from Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army

REPORTER (Gevorg Tosunyan, CivilNet): You participated in the 2020 and 2023 wars. Tell us the events that unfolded on September 19-20.

ARMAN PETROSYAN: There was a severe shortage of fuel so only those on active combat duty on the frontlines were "working". In the afternoon of September 19, they summoned all of us to the workplace. About 20 minutes after reaching the base we started to hear explosions. We took cover in shelters and forests that were prepared in advance. After 3-4 hours of sheltering, we formed groups of 2 individuals and entered the storages to receive equipment. We spent the night in the area near our military base, waiting for orders.

Part of our staff was positioned in Martakert to guard the gold mine. Our guy Rafo was killed after destroying 2 tanks and 1 BPM. The rest of our unit was dispatched to the capital Stepanakert in the section called Krkzhan to organize a defense on a hill.

On September 20 we engaged in a shootout with the opponent. They were unable to advance. In the meantime, we were able to evacuate the civilian population of nearby districts.

The opponent made another attempt on the morning of 21st. They were using 60mm mortars and infantry. We once again engaged in a shootout. After sustaining more losses, the opponent stopped the attempts and decided to change its strategy. They began to use snipers to suppress the movement of our reserves. We alerted the command and they sent special forces units to assist us.

There are two crossroads there. The movement on both was paralyzed because of the opponent's snipers. Two of our soldiers were wounded but successfully evacuated. The opponent sustained one KIA.

REPORTER: When was this and why was the opponent monitoring these crossroads?

PETROSYAN: This was after the decision to surrender. The majority of our soldiers had already laid down their arms but the opponent attempted to advance despite the ceasefire agreement so we continued to carry out the combat duty until 23rd-24th. Russian peacekeepers came and stood in an area between us but their presence didn't bring any results.

REPORTER: Tell us where you fought during the 2020 war.

PETROSYAN: We volunteered to protect the northern section called Yeghnikner. I was part of the "Mets Tigran" territorial defense brigade's "Qeri" squad. On October 4 we conducted recon on Mt. Aregasar and surrounding areas before the assault. We launched the attack on October 5 with the participation of special forces. The opponent left 140 dead and several destroyed vehicles. Unfortunately, we lost 4 soldiers. The second assault was on October 8 on Mt. Aregasar, during which we destroyed two BTR-82A armored vehicles.

Part of our unit was moved to Qarin Tak [just south of Sushi]. We engaged in a shootout in Sghnakh after the opponent's unsuccessful attempt to entrap us. The following day the opponent assaulted the heights under Qarin Tak. After 6 hours of resistance, we were given an order to retreat because the opponent's other units had flanked us and were in our rear.

Our problem came from the fact that the army command followed the same strategy throughout the entire war: linear defense. We did not have enough soldiers for this strategy. The opponent identified and breached our weak points in the south, reaching our rear. Hadrut fell almost without resistance because we did not have units trained for urban warfare. We needed highly mobile units capable of moving quickly and sabotaging the opponent's advances. The lack of urban units was also an issue during the defense of Shushi.

REPORTER: So the traditional model of protecting trenches was the weakness?

PETROSYAN: Yes. Battles are like soccer: you lose if you don't move. The WW2-era strategy of clinging on trenches had turned our soldiers into live targets for the opponent's artillery. Azerbaijan also follows this flawed defense strategy, but since we aren't the attackers, they don't sustain the same losses we do.

Our main issue today is with lack of training for soldiers guarding the frontlines. They aren't given enough time to study tactics and warfare, and aren't undergoing constant physical training to remain in good shape. //

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpbsx84Q-FQ)

military expert Artsrun Hovhannisyan has a new position

The defense ministry says he won the competition to become the head of the command and staff faculty at the Vazgen Sargsyan Military University. More recently he worked as a consultant for the Parliament's Defense Committee.

[source,](https://factor.am/701704.html)

the government wants to quickly build lots of houses with prefabricated materials and thin-walled steel frames

The government invited private construction companies and manufacturers from Armenia and Iran to discuss a fast-built housing program. They want to understand how fast these companies can build, and how many.

>For this purpose, various technological solutions and proposals are being considered, including thin-walled steel frames, 3D panels, prefabricated reinforced concrete and others.

The companies will submit their calculations soon.

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/business/armenia_s_urban_development_committee_eyes_fast_built_housing_program/)

first satellite made in Armenia ready for journey

On [September 7 we learned](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/16csxuq/gen_samvel_babayans_interview_assassination/) that an Armenian company, with the help of diasporan experts, was developing the first-ever satellite made in Armenia.

Hayasat-1 has passed the tests and has been cleared for takeoff inside SpaceX's Falcon-9 by the end of November. The testing was conducted by experts at the ISISPACE center in the Netherlands. They attached the satellite to a mechanism that pushes an object out of Falcon-9 into space.

The Armenian team is currently working on the data reception and control system. They have antennas capable of receiving satellite signals when it travels above Armenia. They are also cooperating with stations located in other countries for transferring the information, which will be very basic info gathered from a few sensors. The team's next project will be a more complex satellite.

In 2022 Armenia purchased a larger and professional satellite with imaging capabilities from a foreign company. It marked the beginning of the revival of Armenia's space industry. The goal was to develop space engineering in Armenia.

[source,](https://factor.am/701415.html)

anti-corruption: former official agrees to settle a case brought by authorities under the new asset forfeiture law

In 2020 the prosecutors charged the former head of Yerevan's Erebuni district with financial crimes. In 2023 the authorities launched an asset forfeiture case in the Anti-Corrupton Court.

The suspect, Armen Harutyunyan, and the alleged accomplices have agreed to settle the case. They will surrender 1 real estate property, 1 vehicle, and $72,000.

[source,](https://factor.am/701606.html)

anti-corruption: the son-in-law of Armenia's richest man Gagik Tsarukyan and 12 others are facing hundreds of criminal charges

Gago's son-in-law Karapet Guloyan served as the mayor of Abovyan in 2008-2015. He and 12 others are charged with numerous counts of property and financial crimes. The authorities suspect 232 instances of additional crimes.

[source,](https://factor.am/701611.html)

anti-corruption: the case involving Armenia's former Culture Minister reaches the court

The 2012-2016 Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan is suspected of organizing the illegal appropriation of lands in Yerevan. The case has reached the Anti-Corruption Court.

[source,](https://a1plus.am/hy/article/463394)

---

Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/17aysax/netherlands_tested_the_firstever_satellite_built/