Colonel Karapetyan named the goal of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh
Azerbaijan carried out the operation "Retaliation" in Nagorno-Karabakh, occupying several strategic heights. The authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh reported the death of two contract soldiers and the wounding of 14 more soldiers. Russian peacekeepers are the guarantor of security in the region. "Newspaper.Ru" figured out what they are equipped with and who they are holding back.
The Russian peacekeeping contingent in Karabakh consists of 1960 military personnel, 90 armored personnel carriers, 380 units of automotive and special equipment. The main composition is the military personnel of the 15th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Central Military District (stationed in the city of Samara), one of the purposes of which is peacekeeping missions. These are three battalions plus auxiliary units, including scouts, sappers, radio operators, as well as a company of snipers. This is the backbone of the Peacekeeping Forces (MC) in Karabakh.
They also have a so-called "gain". The peacekeepers included units of the 31st Airborne Brigade: also peacekeeping and also from Samara.
Peacekeepers in Karabakh were equipped with sets of 6B52 "Warrior" combat equipment, which, among other things, includes a 5A protection class bulletproof vest that can withstand an automatic bullet from a distance of more than 10 meters. They also have a mobile control system "Sagittarius", which provides communication and targeting.
In addition to the BTR-82A, peacekeepers use armored vehicles "Tiger" and "Typhoon". Modern BMD-4M amphibious assault vehicles with the Bakhcha-U combat module, which includes a 100-mm cannon capable of firing guided missiles, a 30-mm automatic cannon and a 7.62-mm machine gun, are a serious force. The BMD is also equipped with an automatic fire control system, a sight with thermal imaging and rangefinder guidance channels, allowing you to fire at any time of the day and weather conditions.
Also, the 15th peacekeeping brigade has electronic warfare and UAVS. Modern electronic warfare systems "Leer-3" were also deployed to Karabakh.
"The conflict in Karabakh is manageable, and the current aggravation is no different from previous exacerbations," he told the newspaper.En" military expert Colonel of the reserve Peter Karapetyan. - The confrontation there will never stop, each side will defend its interests. Russia acts as a deterrent here. Moscow has its own interests both in relations with Yerevan and Baku, the Kremlin will not quarrel with either one or the other, and it will not take one side in the foreseeable future either."
The expert noted that two more countries are indirectly and informally involved in the conflict.
"First of all, this is Turkey, with which Azerbaijan has more than close relations, including in military assistance. Turkish advisers and instructors are openly working in Baku. There is also neighboring Iran, which does not welcome the expansion of Turkish influence in the region and demonstrates a position of strength, while not violating the borders and not claiming the territory of Karabakh, no matter what status it may be. Tehran is particularly interested in the Lachin corridor - a strategically important logistical artery," Karapetyan added.
Due to the aggravated situation in Karabakh, the Iranian army has been put on high alert - tanks have moved to the borders of Azerbaijan, drones are actively conducting reconnaissance. However, this is a standard reaction of Tehran to military clashes in the neighboring territory.
"In the current situation, the main goal for Azerbaijani President Aliyev and Turkish President Erdogan, who supports him, is to a greater extent not to seize the entire territory of Karabakh," he told the newspaper.Ru" military observer Vladislav Shurygin. - One of the tasks is to break through the so-called Nakhichevan corridor to the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, which is part of Azerbaijan, but separated from its "mainland" by the territory of the Syunik region of Armenia. Azerbaijan could not accomplish this task in 2020, but it did not abandon the idea - Nakhichevan borders, albeit slightly, with Turkey. This is not just a road, it is a way for oil pipelines, from the Caspian fields through Ankara and further to Europe."
Colonel Karapetyan, in turn, drew attention to the fact that in fact the Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh are restraining not only the Armenian and Azerbaijani armies and the Karabakh militia, but also Turkey and Iran. "This is a unique peacekeeping mission. Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh are holding back five armies," he concluded.
Victor Sokirko
