On September 27, 2020, Lieutenant Colonel Hovhannes Gzoghyan fell in the war unleashed by Azerbaijan. His wife, Lilit Hovhannisyan, tells Iravaban.net within the framework of the “Immortal Victims of the Artsakh War” series that they married one year after their first meeting.
“Everything was built on mutual love and respect. When we had already gotten acquainted, he was a major. All the other decorations we received during our years of marriage. I used to jokingly tell him, ‘I am your talisman of success.’ During that time, we went from major to lieutenant colonel rank, but I, regardless of what rank he held, was always proud of him because he was a very exceptional person. He was considered one of the youngest lieutenant colonels of his age; he received the rank at 32 years old,” she recounts.
According to Lilit, service and soldiers were a priority for her husband, whom he always referred to as “my children.” The 38-year-old artilleryman participated in three wars: the Four-Day War, the Tavush battles, and the 44-day war.
“Then came his parents, and finally the family. Until everyone’s needs were satisfied, it wasn’t our turn. And if it was our turn, then matters in the other two areas were already taken care of. He performed his service with great love, honor, and dedication. He never talked about service at home. Whatever information I learned, I heard from other military wives. I learned about him only after his death,” says Lilit.
On the eve of the war, Hovhannes repeatedly urged his wife to go to Yerevan with the children, but Lilit did not want to leave her husband alone. When the 44-day war began, Hovhannes was serving in Tavush.
“I heard signals, asked where the troops were going. He said Artsakh, ‘where my troops go, I go too.’ I said, ‘What about us?’ He said his children were going to the line of fire, he had to go. After his disappearance, I learned that he had again left for war without orders. I knew neither the deployment location nor where he had gone. I only know that he went to Artsakh. The last call was on October 2, 2020. On October 4, the Ministry of Defense confirmed that he had gone missing, was out of contact. I know that he found himself surrounded—two officers, two enlisted soldiers, and the driver—in the Mataghis-Talish section. Where he went, I don’t know. According to information, he went to find a deployment site, but it turned out that the site was under enemy control. He went there to set up a post and operate artillery. However, it turns out he went on reconnaissance, even reported that he noticed movement. Five people went to the area where movement was observed. From October 2, 2020, until May 28, 2021, my husband was considered missing,” recounts Hovhannes’s wife.
Lilit notes that thanks to her husband’s correct decision, there were very few casualties and wounded from the 186-person officer and soldier unit.
“I know there was an order that he should advance with the soldiers. If that had happened, not five people would have been fallen, but an entire regiment,” says Lilit.
Hovhannes Gzoghyan was awarded the “Combat Cross” 1st degree decoration.
Details in the video.
