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Russia Expands Military Presence in Armenia as Tensions with Azerbaijan Rise
Russia has accelerated the staffing of its military base in Gyumri, Armenia, amid rising tensions with Azerbaijan, the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine (HUR) reported on its official Telegram channel on July 5.
“The deployment of Russian troops in Armenia is part of a comprehensive Kremlin strategy aimed at destabilizing global security. Alongside stoking interethnic conflict, Moscow is building up its military presence in the Caucasus. It is likely that the deterioration of relations between Azerbaijan and Russia was prepared in advance,” said representative of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate.
The Kremlin has stepped up recruitment for its Gyumri garrison to bolster military-political pressure on South Caucasus states. According to HUR, personnel are drawn from Russian servicemen serving in the Rostov and Volgograd regions as well as in temporarily occupied Crimea.
In addition to regular forces, Russia is actively seeking volunteers among Caucasus communities, notably in North Ossetia and Adygea.
In its statement, HUR added that Ukrainian military intelligence continues to closely monitor the movements of Russian forces both within Russia and beyond its borders.
Earlier, Armenia began purchasing Indian-made weapons systems as part of a broader effort to distance itself from Russia and diversify its military partnerships, Armenian officials confirmed.
The agreement covers artillery, air-defense components, and electronic warfare equipment, highlighting Yerevan’s push to strengthen its defense capabilities amid cooling relations with Moscow over the South Caucasus balance of power.
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
