Interview with the Deputy Battalion Commander, Maj GEVORG TONIKYAN

I find Vartan lying in the hospital room. The right hand is immobilezed with iron rods, there are scars left on the masculine face, still not completely healed.

Indomitable, determined, brave … In the eyes of a soldier radiating boundless longing, love and warmth to his country, his relatives, his friends and compatriots, the driving force of his heroism will be hardened.

This young hero, who destroyed ten enemy tanks in a matter of days, comes and sits modestly to talk to me. The eyes are clear, the gaze is bright and luminous. Sergeant Edgar Markosyan is the Deputy Commander of a battery, the Commander of the Squadron, who has shown exceptional dedication, courage and professionalism during the combat operations.

Many soldiers and volunteers who were wounded as a result of the large-scale war unleashed by Azerbaijan are receiving treatment in various medical centers of the capital.

The whole family of Artsakh Hero Yura Alaverdyan was at home, the father, Haykaram, the mother, Anna, the grandmother, Greta, Yura’s younger sister, who is named after her grandmother.

The war is ranging. The breath of war is hardly felt in Yerevan. Life goes on as normal though the Artsakh front is in the center of everyone’s attention, and the political processes developing around it. Everyone is busy with their work, following the news in parallel, and then discussing the events at an almost “expert” level. As soon as we find out about our departure to Artsakh, acquaintances and strangers express their support.