Ukraine fighter admits combating on Azeris’ side in Karabakh war

March 10, 2016 - 12:21 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Mama Tanya, a member of volunteer battalions fighting alongside Ukraine’s army said in one of The Guardian’s recent projects that the war in Ukraine isn’t the first one she has participated in, the other being the Nagorno Karabakh war, the news agency reports.

In the 1990s she was living with her husband in Azerbaijan and served as a medic during the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

Her experience and committed nationalism has drawn her into the war in eastern Ukraine, where her task is to administer first aid and pull wounded soldiers out of battlefields during special operations.

The volunteer battalions are known for being fearless on the battlefield. They also have a reputation for fierce nationalism and far-right views. One of these units is the assault battalion Aidar, based in the town of Shchastya, whose members have been accused of human rights abuses by Amnesty International. What is less known is that the volunteers include several women among their ranks – some working as medics and support staff but others in active combat roles.

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.