Protest at the Russian military base in Armenia

IPN.md

24 August 2025
13:25

The “In the Name of the Republic” party in Armenia protested on Saturday at the 102nd Russian military base in the city of Gyumri. Dozens of people demanded the closure of the base and the reduction of Russian presence in Armenia. They chanted “Out” and “Traitor Putin”. The authorities in Moscow have not commented on the case, reports IPN.

Meanwhile, the opposition party “Mother Armenia” organized a rally in support of the Russian military base. The rally participants came out with placards, which read “Hands off the Russian military base 102”.

The Ukrainian Military Intelligence Agency (GUR) recently warned that the Russian Federation is intensifying and consolidating its military presence in Armenia through its military base there. More specifically, the GUR published a classified telegram signed by Sergei Zemskov, acting chief of staff of Russia’s Southern Military District. It is an order from the military district commander for the urgent “reinforcement” of the Russian military base in the Armenian city of Gyumri.

Armenia and Russia established the 102nd military base there in the ’90s, with the purpose of Russian soldiers protecting the border with Turkey and being able to quickly deploy in the Karabakh region in case of an Azerbaijani military move. This did not happen in 2023, when Baku regained full control over the Karabakh region, following a military campaign.

The Russian military base in Gyumri is the largest Russian military facility in the South Caucasus region. It hosts up to 5,000 people, including military families. The base includes MiG-29 fighter jets and S-300 air defense systems.

Last year, in an unprecedented event, Armenia suspended its participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a Moscow-led alliance equivalent to the North Atlantic Alliance.

According to the Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, there is “no advantage” in the presence of Russian troops in his country, but the Russian military base in Gyumri remains intact. Both states agreed in 2010 to extend the lease of the base until 2044.

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The Art Theatre of Chisinau presents the play “A Man and Several Women” by Leonid Zorin, directed by Eugeniu Matcovschi /Odeon Cultural Center /at 06:00 PM/.

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The personal exhibition Untitled by the artist Konstantin Benkovich continues, organized by the National Art Museum of Moldova, in partnership with the ALT Foundation /MNAM /July 30-August 30/.

The immersive exhibition continues, inspired by the mythology and mystical folklore of the Republic of Moldova, “The Forest”, created by Milen Chelea /Plai Gallery / July 23-August 6/.

The exhibition “Scent of Warm Bread. Bread in the Iron Age” continues /National Museum of History of Moldova /July 22 – September 4/.

The exhibition “Urban Archaeology and the Hidden Memory of Chisinau” continues /National Museum of History of Moldova /July 17-November 30/.

The documentary exhibition “Echo from the past, for the present and the future” continues, dedicated to the memory of the victims of Stalinist deportations and one of the most tragic episodes in the history of Bessarabia /BNRM /July 3-August 3/.

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Protest at the Russian military base in Armenia

IPN.md

24 August 2025
13:25

Last year, in an unprecedented event, Armenia suspended its participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a Moscow-led alliance equivalent to the North Atlantic Alliance.

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Romanian farmers protested in Bucharest against the blocking of sheep and goat exports

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Romanian farmers protested in Bucharest on Thursday against the ban on sheep and goat exports, claiming losses of hundreds of millions of euros and calling for the intervention of the authorities. The demonstration degenerated into scuffles with the gendarmes, and the security forces used tear gas, reports Digi24, quoted by IPN.

The protest began in front of the headquarters of the National Veterinary and Food Safety Authority, where breeders from several counties requested to discuss with the institution’s leadership. Subsequently, the farmers moved to Victoriei Square, in front of the Government, where approximately five thousand people gathered. They demanded the resumption of exports, compensation for the losses suffered, and the resignation of the ANSVSA leadership.

The demonstration takes place against the backdrop of the crisis in the livestock sector, affected by the plague of small ruminants and by sanitary-veterinary restrictions. The European Commission has extended until December 31 the ban on sheep and goat exports from Romania to third countries, following the outbreak of a disease in Mures county.

Farmers claim that the restrictions have blocked the resumption of exports to Arab countries, and the losses for this year could exceed 300 million euros. They urgently request the lifting of trade restrictions and support measures for the affected farms.

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