Zatulin not ruling out Russian landing operation in Armenia

October 22, 2020 - 14:53 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots Konstantin Zatulin has said that one of the ways that Russia might react to the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh could be a landing operation in Armenia.

According to the lawmaker, peace in the region was breached by Azerbaijan and Turkey, so they should be reminded "which country remains the leader in the post-Soviet space." At the same time, he admitted he was not sure how exactly Moscow should act, but he named the landing operation among the possible options, RIA Novosti reports.

"In the form of demonstratively strengthening the military potential of Armenia. In the form of appealing to the CSTO because of the need to take measures to protect the Armenian – not Nagorno-Karabakh – but the Armenian territory through a landing operation. By breaking the air blockade," Zatuling said, adding that any such measure is a forced decision.

“We are talking about the spread of militants across the Caucasus, which could harm Russia, Georgia and everyone else. There is a threat to large masses of the Armenian population, amid the historic memory of Genocide perpetrated in the area. We must take action."

Russian Senator Alexey Pushkov said, meanwhile, that if Turkey sends troops to Azerbaijan, the Karabakh conflict will only intensify, and a peaceful scenario will be ruled out.

Pushkov's comments came after Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said on Wednesday, October 21 that Ankara will not hesitate to send soldiers and provide military support for Azerbaijan if such a request is made by Baku.

Azerbaijan, with help from Turkey and Syrian and Libyan mercenaries deployed by Ankara, started a war against Karabakh (Artsakh) in the morning of September 27. The Armenian side has reported deaths and injuries both among the civilian population and the military. Foreign and local journalists too have been injured in Azeri shelling of towns and villages.