Former Armenian Human Rights Defender and opposition figure Arman Tatoyan says Azerbaijani forces have advanced and fortified positions inside Armenia’s sovereign territory, citing his analysis of satellite imagery showing troop movements and new military infrastructure from Vardenis to Jermuk. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan publicly rejected the claims as false, while ruling party officials argued such movements would have been detected by local residents.
Satellite images show that over the two years following the 44-day war, Azerbaijani troops advanced kilometers into Armenian territory. Tatoyan demonstrated on a large screen the locations where these forces had strengthened.
“Baku continues to take control of our sovereign lands, piece by piece, as if slicing a salami. This is the price paid under the government that claims to pursue peace,” Tatoyan said today, adding that he would present concrete evidence to back his claims.
According to Tatoyan, Azerbaijani positions deep inside Armenia, from Vardenis to Jermuk, were significantly strengthened between July and August of last year, before the preliminary signing of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreements in Washington, D.C.
“It is clear from the evidence that once they learned about the upcoming TRIPP agreements in Washington on August 8, the Azerbaijani authorities quickly acted, knowing that after the signing they would no longer be able to take such steps. The Armenian authorities were aware of this and, naturally, concealed it from the public. I am confident they also hid it from their U.S. partners,” Tatoyan said.
In Vardenis, he said, a new position and military shelters appeared after July, with fortifications completed by August 19. These structures include caponiers, specially built shelters that can accommodate military vehicles, including tanks.
“These positions directly overlook the Sotk gold mine, surrounding pastures, and the village of Kut. Azerbaijani forces have also installed solar panels and built new access roads,” Tatoyan added.
He also highlighted new fortifications in Gegharkunik and Jermuk in Vayots Dzor, where Azerbaijani troops reportedly advanced, built positions, and are now capable of deploying heavy weaponry.
“In addition, two more positions have been established near Jermuk, just meters away from the border. Even though they are close to the border line, they still pose serious security threats and risks for us. Logically, it becomes clear that these actions pursue specific preparatory goals, for example, in anticipation of possible actions, should circumstances allow,” Tatoyan said.
Tatoyan, leader of the “Wings of Unity” political initiative and a candidate for prime minister, explained why he had not previously raised alarms about Azerbaijani advancements: “It’s simple, we only just discovered them.”
During a Q&A with parliament, Defense Minister Suren Papikyan dismissed Tatoyan’s claims, stating: “These urgent press conferences are just attempts to provoke me. The person you mentioned is lying. Nothing like this has happened, dear compatriots.”
Ruling party lawmaker Sisak Gabrielyan also denied the allegations, arguing that any Azerbaijani movements would have been noticed by locals long before Tatoyan’s claims.
According to official Armenian sources, Azerbaijan has occupied around 200 square kilometers of Armenian territory. The government maintains that these occupied areas will be resolved through formal Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation.
Tatoyan has called on the current government, which he blames for the war, to step aside and allow capable actors to address the threats facing Armenia.
