Russian Peacekeepers Continue Withdrawal from Artsakh, Arrive in Armenia

A convoy of vehicles carrying Russian peacekeeping forces left Artsakh on Monday and entered Armenia via the Lachin Corridor.

Armenia’s National Security chief Armen Grigoryan told Armenpress that the Russian forces will head to Goris and Simian in the Syunik Province, where they will remain for temporary period of time.

Videos posted on various media outlets showed the peacekeeping convoy entering Armenian on the Hakkari bridge, the site of a 10-month standoff between Armenians and Azerbaijanis last year during Baku’s blockade of Artsakh.

“In order to be deployed in Nagorno-Karabakh and carry out peacekeeping activities, the Armenian government allocated temporary deployment sites to the Russian peacekeeping units in Goris and Sisian. The location was also chosen with the aim of ensuring the normal operation of the Lachin Corridor,” Grigoryan said.

“Since the Russian peacekeeping troops are leaving Nagorno Karabakh, they obviously cannot stay in the Republic of Armenia. A group of peacekeepers and a motorcade headed for the temporary deployment sites in Goris and Sisian to organize their closure,” Grigoryan added.

The Kremlin was asked to comment about the Russian peacekeepers’ withdrawal. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, blamed Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, saying his decision to recognize Azerbaijan’s sovereignty over Artsakh prompted the early departure of the troops.

“This [withdrawal] corresponds to the current realities that have developed in the region after Armenia recognized the borders of Azerbaijan as of 1991,” Peskov told Russian state television. “The geopolitical realities there have changed, and there are no functions left for [the peacekeepers] anymore.”