Speaker: No discussions underway on Russian military base withdrawal from Armenia

Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan stated during a briefing that Armenia is not discussing the withdrawal of the Russian military base from its territory.

“There is no such issue — Armenia is not currently discussing the possibility of withdrawing the Russian military base,” Caliber.Az quotes Simonyan as saying per Russian media.

Note that, Russia’s 102nd Military Base in Gyumri, Armenia, hosts an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 personnel and operates under a lease agreement extended until 2044.

Established in 1995 and formalised through a 2010 protocol, the base is considered by experts to be a key element of Russia’s military presence in the South Caucasus and operates within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

The facility spans roughly 110 hectares and is equipped with approximately 74 T-72 tanks, over 150 armoured vehicles, close to 100 artillery systems, and a squadron of MiG-29 fighter jets. 

It also includes S-300 and Buk-M1 air defence systems and is integrated into a joint Armenian-Russian air defence network. Radar and communication infrastructure support broader regional operations.

By Aghakazim Guliyev