Rafik Simonyan participated in the 44-day war of 2020 as a volunteer. He was 25 years old when the enemy unleashed a war against Artsakh. He served in special forces in Yerevan.

Great sport was waiting for our hero. First a karate fighter, then a boxer: his medals were at their home. They were the witnesses of his victories. Rafik also went to the battlefield with the hope of victory.

Her sister, Hermine Simoyan, tells about her brother chokingly, she says that he was her wing and back. She uses the adjective “stubborn” to describe her brother, because Rafik got what he wanted at any cost.

“He was always in a hurry, trying to do everything immediately. We did not know that he was going to the battlefield. First he went to Sisian with his friend, then they participated in the fight in the Red Market area, they were in Shushi region as well. Their artillery was recognized as the best penetrating artillery and he always said, “We are changing the place so that they do not know where we are, and we shall not be a target. The last place was in Nngi,” the sister tells.

“I am needed here.” this is how Rafik answered when he was urged to return. The father was a participant in the war as well and when the homeland needed protection again, the son, went to battlefield without hesitation.

Rafik Simonyan was killed in the vicinity of Nngi village of Martuni region during shelling on 7 November.