A WORTHY COUNTERBLOW TO THE ENEMY

As at the first stage of the Azerbaijan-Nagorno-Karabakh war, and on the night of 2 April, 2016, Azerbaijan suddenly launched an attack against the NKR, using artillery, heavy armor and air power. If for Azerbaijan it is the latest adventure and the result of the wrong political-military calculations, for the Armenian side it was a signal for the unification of all Armenians around the world on the destruction of the invaders.

The chronicles of the fighting show that the image of the enemy and his style have not changed: the same methods of warfare have been applied also in the days of the April attack.

Military operations were the most fierce in the south (Hadrut) and northeast (Martakert) directions. And everywhere the actions of servicemen of the NKR Defense Army led to the loss of military equipment and manpower of the enemy.

Only on the 2nd and 3rd of April more than 200 soldiers of the enemy were killed, 14 tanks and more than 5 units of armored vehicles were destroyed.

On April 4, the enemy began to use the heavy anti-aircraft guns, as well as to expand the use of drones and other modern equipment. 11 tanks were destroyed on this day, 4 drones, 1 BMP, 2 vehicles, there were numerous casualties.

As of 12:00pm of April 5, the Azerbaijani army lost 24 tanks units, 4 units of BMP, 2 military helicopters, 12 drones, multiple launch rocket systems of 122mm caliber, 1 engineering equipment, more than 400 fighters.

On the night of April 5, in the south direction the enemy used MLRS “Smerch”.

The exploits of Armenian soldiers were widespread.

So, conscript, private Narek Sirekan Malkhasyan with a grenade shot down the enemy’s helicopter, another soldier Gevorg Hovanes Manukyan shot down another helicopter by anti-aircraft missile unit “Igla”.

Private Marat Petrosyan with “Faggot” destroyed three enemy tanks.

Soldiers of D-30 artillery battalion under the command of the battalion commander, Major Aksel Grigoryan led fierce battles. Under the guidance of the commander of the 3rd Battery, First Lieutenant George Yavryan, 2 armored vehicles, enemy living force and a number of important military facilities were distroyed.

Rifle company commander, Captain Armenak Urfanyan with the accurate shot of mortar shells destroyed 1 tank, about 10 manpower. When he saw that the forces are unequal, Captain Urfanyan sent back his soldiers, fought to the last bullet and avoiding falling into captivity detonated a grenade, killing himself and two other enemy soldiers.

There were also heavy fightings in the northern direction. Using absolute numerical superiority, the enemy tried to break through the defensive of Talish village with tanks. During the fighting fell as heroes soldiers Rafik Hakobyan, Aghasi Asatryan,  platoon commander, First Lieutenant Meruzhan Stepanyan. Company commander of special purpose, Major Ararat Baghdasaryan who came to the rescue to help with grenade shot 2 tanks, and one tank was destroyed by the personnel of the battery of captain Vasil Tsarukyan (artillery battalion commanded by Major Armen Santryan).

To defeat the enemy, we have mobilized all our strength and capabilities, primarily uniting around the command staff to accurately perform combat missions assigned to us.

Mher Harutyunyan

Photos by Armen Yeramishyan