Armenian Soldiers Pass by Azerbaijani Checkpoint at Sev Lake, Defense Minister Confirms

Armenian soldiers pass by an Azerbaijani checkpoint while advancing to a position near Sev Lake (Black Lake), Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan confirmed on Tuesday. He said that contrary to some media reports, Azerbaijani soldiers are not inspecting Armenian servicemen.

“The situation relates to a position created in May 2021,” Papikyan explained. “Our soldiers pass by the Azerbaijani position. They do not check our soldiers. I confirm that this is not happening at this stage.”

Papikyan clarified that there are two options: either to leave the Armenian position or to move past the Azerbaijani outpost. He stressed that passing by the checkpoint is normal, and there have been no problems for months. “They pass by, maybe even say hello and chat. There is absolutely no problem at this phase,” he added.

The defense minister also addressed concerns about tensions between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces. He said that at this stage, no tension is arising between soldiers on either side. The question of liberating territories currently occupied by Azerbaijan remains under the jurisdiction of border demarcation and delimitation commissions.

Papikyan dismissed reports from some sources claiming that Azerbaijani soldiers were inspecting Armenian troops. He explained that these reports were based on past situations and do not reflect current reality.

At the press conference, Papikyan also spoke about the role of Armenia’s Su-30SM fighter jets. He said the fighters are important for protecting Armenia’s airspace and sovereignty. Armenia purchased the jets before the 44-day war in 2020, though their missiles were not delivered at the time. The defense minister added that the Armenian Armed Forces are being updated with modern equipment, including weapons that meet NATO standards.

Papikyan emphasized that updating the military does not mean Armenia is abandoning existing equipment. Instead, older equipment will be adapted and modernized to work alongside new weapons.

The defense minister confirmed that no military exercises with Iran are planned at this time. He recalled that joint exercises were held last year but emphasized that both countries are operating in their own territories. “There are no restrictions, but also no planned exercises,” he said.

Papikyan also noted that Armenia relies on its own army and economy for security, while maintaining open and transparent relations with its allies.

In 2025, 30 servicemen died in the Armenian armed forces, Papikyan reported. Six of these deaths were related to accidents or health issues, including lightning strikes, electrocution, and suicides. The other 24 deaths were caused by traffic accidents, illnesses, or domestic reasons. Compared to 2024, the number of deaths decreased by 40 percent. He also said there were no cases of murder related to non-statutory relations, which had occurred in past years.

Papikyan said Armenia will allocate 150 billion drams for the development of its military industry in 2026–2028. The goal is to diversify the procurement of military equipment and expand local production. In previous years, contracts with local companies grew from 5.5 billion drams in 2022 to 170 billion drams today, with most products already delivered.

The defense minister emphasized that developing the domestic military industry is a key part of strengthening Armenia’s army and maintaining its independence in defense capabilities.

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