Parade dedicated to 15th anniversary of Shushi liberation took place in StepanakertMay 10, 2007 - 15:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A parade dedicated to the 15th anniversary of liberation of Shushi, formation of the NKR Defense Army and 62nd anniversary of Victory in the World War II was held in the Renaissance Square in Stepanakert on May 9. The parade was run by First Deputy Commander of the Nagorno Karabakh Defense Army, Major General Movses Hakobyan and was inspected by NKR Defense Minister, Lieutenant General Seyran Ohanyan. Over 1500 military marched in the parade.Armenian President Robert Kocharian, NKR President Arkady Ghukasian, RA NA Speaker Tigran Torosian, primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, head of the Yerkrapah Union of Volunteers, General Lieutenant Manvel Grigoryan and Generals of the Armenian and NKR armies attended the event. Elements of the Armenian and NKR Defense Army, veterans of the World War II and Karabakh War marched along the Renaissance Square. Aviation, tank units, artillery and air-defense troops were enabled in the parade, which was the biggest in the NKR history record. Wreaths were laid to the Memorial to the killed soldiers. Festivities were dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the liberation of Shushi. Officials laid flowers to the monument to Vazgen Sargsyan in Shushi. Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan chanted a liturgy in Ghazanchechots Church. Inauguration of Yerevan Cinema reconstructed and equipped in the framework of Renaissance of Shushi Foundation programs was also held. "It's hard to overvalue the significance of liberation of Shushi. It gave a start to glorious victories. The blockade was run and overland communication with Armenia established. Each soldier knew he doesn't fight for others' land but liberates the seized part of his homeland," NKR Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan said. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |