Opposition figure challenges government denials of Azerbaijani incursions

An opposition representative on Tuesday accused Azerbaijani forces of making new advances into Armenia’s sovereign territory in 2025 and urged the country’s Defense Ministry to respond to what he described as documented evidence of the incursions.

Narek Paronyan, a member of the Wings of Unity political initiative, spoke outside Armenia’s Defense Ministry in Yerevan, saying the visit was prompted by “another case of deception” by the authorities regarding developments along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

“The reason for our visit is very simple: another deception, further concessions and territorial seizures carried out by Azerbaijan,” Paronyan told reporters.

He referred to a recent news conference held by Arman Tatoyan, the head of the Wings of Unity initiative and Armenia’s former human rights defender, who presented findings showing Azerbaijani forces had advanced further into Armenia’s sovereign territory, contradicting statements by the government that no territorial losses occurred in 2025.

According to Paronyan, the group’s conclusions are based on extensive analysis by experts, including satellite imagery.

“We have clear, expert-backed evidence based on long-term research, including satellite images that clearly show what has happened and what actions were taken by Azerbaijan,” he noted.

Paronyan said he submitted documents, satellite images and geographic coordinates to representatives of the Defense Ministry, requesting an official explanation as to why the authorities had not informed the public about Azerbaijani incursions.

He alleged that Azerbaijani forces made positional advances in the Vardenis region in July 2025. As a result, he said several locations, including the Sotk gold mine, are now under Azerbaijani military observation.

“The Sotk mine is now fully under Azerbaijani observation, as are the village of Kut and other settlements in the Vardenis region. Roads in the area are also under surveillance by Azerbaijani armed forces,” Paronyan said.

He further claimed that Azerbaijani troops had established fortified positions within Armenia’s sovereign territory, including defensive structures, trenches and firing positions for mortars and other weapons.

“From these positions they are able to control the surrounding area,” he said.

Paronyan argued that the findings contradict statements by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Defense Minister Suren Papikyan that Armenia did not lose territory in 2025.

“Claims by the government that Armenia did not lose territory in 2025 are contradicted by these findings,” he said, adding that territorial losses occurred both in the Vardenis region and near the town of Jermuk.

Paronyan also criticized the Armenian authorities for dismissive responses to the allegations instead of addressing them with evidence.

He said the materials handed to the Defense Ministry demonstrate what he called a pattern of gradual Azerbaijani encroachment into Armenian territory.