In a surprising move, Russian border guards were seen collecting their field cables in a village in Armenia, sparking speculation that they may be preparing to withdraw from the area. The community leader of Nerkin Hand village in Syunik Province, Khachatur Baghdasaryan, reported this development on Sunday.
On Monday afternoon, a video camera captured several Russian soldiers at a checkpoint in Nerkin Hand, with bundled cables near the entrance, indicating a potential pullout. Russian border guards were deployed in the region following the 2020 war, at the request of the Armenian government.
The decision to withdraw Russian military and border guards from certain provinces of Armenia was announced after a meeting between the leaders of both countries in Moscow. However, it was clarified that Russian border guards will continue to stay at key border points upon the request of Yerevan.
This move has raised questions about the future of security in the region and the impact it may have on Armenia’s border protection strategy.