Artsakh has been under siege for 149 days.

On 9 May, the President of the Republic of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan sent a message on the occasion of the Victory Day, the 31st anniversary of the Defense Army of the Republic of Artsakh and  the liberation of Shushi.

The message says:

“Dear Compatriots,

Dear veterans of the Great Patriotic War and Artsakh Liberation War,

Honorable generals, officers, soldiers of the Defense Army,

May 9 is one of the most glorious pages in the history of the Armenian people. The victory of our grandfathers along with other peoples in the Great Patriotic War, the formation of the Artsakh Republic Defense Army, the Liberation of Shushi are the unforgivable victories that rightly made that day a symbol of national pride.

First of all, I want to bow my head to the holy memory of all our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the defense of the Motherland at different times, as well as to the merits of living heroes. Their feat and bravery are immortal and will always be a bright example of patriotism and selflessness for future generations.

Today, Artsakh has once again appeared in the focus of an ontological struggle. The blockade by the authorities of Azerbaijan, which has been going on for five months now, aims to break the will and spirit of struggle of our people through psychological and physical pressure, to force them to leave the land of our ancestors with a history of thousands of years or become enslaves under the threat of security.

The aspirations of the Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem are not new for us. We know this well, as well as the strength and power of the unity of the Armenian people, which was demonstrated in the most decisive periods of our history.

Today again, national unity has become the imperative of the day. We have no right to hesitate or step back. There is only one way. Artsakh was, is and should be Armenian, with the free will of its people and the right and determination to manage their own destiny. The efforts of all of us, in Artsakh, Armenia and the Diaspora, should serve in this purpose, we should rediscover and cherish the mystery and spirit of the victorious Triple Holiday as a guideline for our lives.

May God protect our homeland and people.”

On 9 May, the staff of the permanent representation of Artsakh in RA visited the Yrablur military pantheon, laid flowers on the graves of immortal heroes.

Due to the 150-day blockade of the only road connecting Artsakh to Armenia, the relatives of Artsakh servicemen resting in Yerablur are deprived of the opportunity to visit the graves of their heroes. Today, additional cleaning and replacement of worn flags were carried out in the areas of those graves.

Today, on 9 May, a memorial service was held in the St. Astvatsadsin Church of Stepanakert for the memory of heroes who were martyred during the defense of Artsakh and the Great Patriotic War.

A prayer of peace was offered after the requiem service. Under the leadership of the clergy of the diocese, the people united in the church prayed to the  Lord God Almighty for the unshakable peace of Armenia and Artsakh.

At the end of the ceremonies, under the guidance of Saint Grigoris Cross, Patron of the Artsakh Defense Army, the cross march started from Saint Astvatsatsatsin Church to Stepanakert memorial complex.