Russian military base in Gyumri does not confirm staff addition report

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia plans to expand its military presence in Armenia, Haykakan Zhamanak daily said in a September 26 report.

According to the paper, a staff addition is scheduled at Gyumri military base No. 102.

Russian military officials with their families - up to 3000 persons – are expected to arrive for service at the military base. The Armenian city is getting ready for guests, with several Armenian families to be relocated to new homes, the paper noted.

At the same time, Defense Ministry spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan neither confirmed nor denied the report.

As Razm.info reported quoting the deputy commander of Gyumri military base, colonel Ashot Karapetyan, only a shift of current staff is expected.

As he further noted, the staff addition would require an intergovernmental resolution, with none issued so far.

"It's possible that a November military draft gave rise to rumors, with the newly drafted servicemen arriving to replace the dischargees. Russian military personnel usually arrives in Armenian in October, after completing a training in Russian depots," Karapetyan said.