Armenia’s Foreign Ministry has denied claims by Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) that Russia is intensifying its military presence at the Gyumri base, located in the South Caucasus region. The Armenian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson, Ani Badalyan, called the report fictitious and emphasized that Armenia’s territory cannot be used by third states for military actions against its neighbors. The report comes amid deteriorating relations between Russia and Azerbaijan, following a deadly operation on June 27 in Russia’s Yekaterinburg, where Russian security forces killed two Azerbaijani nationals and injured several others. The incident is linked to a 2001 murder case and has led to significant tensions between the two countries.
Ukraine’s military intelligence claimed that Russia is increasing its military presence in Gyumri and recruiting new troops for the base. HUR argued that the move is aimed at destabilizing the global security situation. However, the Armenian Foreign Ministry has rejected these claims, reaffirming its position that its territory should not be used for such activities. This denial comes at a time when Russia’s leverage over both Baku and Yerevan has diminished significantly since Azerbaijani troops captured Nagorno-Karabakh, an Armenian-controlled region in Azerbaijan, in 2023.
Russian peacekeepers withdrew from the region after the capture, and now Baku and Yerevan are negotiating a permanent peace deal. Armenia, which has criticized Moscow for failing to support it during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, is gradually moving closer to the West. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has suspended the country’s membership in a Russian-led military alliance and plans to join the European Union. Recently, there has also been a crackdown on the pro-Russian opposition in Armenia.
The ongoing tensions between Russia and Azerbaijan have further complicated the geopolitical landscape of the South Caucasus. The incident in Yekaterinburg has not only strained bilateral relations but has also raised concerns about the stability of the region. As both countries continue to navigate their evolving relationships, the situation remains volatile, with potential implications for regional security and international diplomacy.