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RUSSIAN WEAPON MAY HAVE BEEN USED IN DOWNING ARMENIAN HELICOPTER, SAYS KARABAKH DM
KARABAKH | 18.11.14 | 10:51
http://armenianow.com/karabakh/58561/armenia_karabakh_helicopter_russian_weapon_defense _minister_movses_hakobyan
According to preliminary data, Azerbaijani forces used a Russian
weapon in shooting down the Armenian Mi-24 military helicopter on
November 12, Karabakh Defense Minister Movses Hakobyan told RFE/RL's
Armenian Service.
Despite being Armenia's closest political and military ally as well as
a mediator in the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement process, Russia is, at
the same time, one of the largest suppliers of weapons to Azerbaijan.
It is estimated that Moscow has sold modern types of weapons, including
heavy materiel, worth around $4 billion to Baku in the past few years.
"Our observations and data of Azerbaijan show that the helicopter
was shot down from a Strela anti-aircraft missile launcher. This is
Russian self-guided missiles," Hakobyan said on Monday, at the same
time stressing that there is no agreement that would prevent Russia
from selling arms to any country.
The Karabakh minister added: "Of course, it's a pity, because we
are strategic allies, and I think that Russia, pursuing its economic
interests, should also take into account our interests, which does
not happen," he said.
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan also voiced concern over Russian arms
supplies to Azerbaijan last summer. In an interview with Argentina's
Clarin newspaper during his official visit to Buenos Aires in July
Sargsyan, in particular, said: "It is a very painful subject and
our people are worried that our strategic ally sells weapons to
Azerbaijan. But we are very confident that Armenia has the capability
to defend its borders...Despite the fact that Russia sells weapons
[to Azerbaijan] I have no doubts Russia will honor its commitments
to us in times of adversity."
Russian officials describe arms supplies to Azerbaijan as "business".
Some experts also point out that even if Russia did not sell arms
to Azerbaijan, Baku could buy similar types of weapons from other
countries.
KARABAKH | 18.11.14 | 10:51
http://armenianow.com/karabakh/58561/armenia_karabakh_helicopter_russian_weapon_defense _minister_movses_hakobyan
According to preliminary data, Azerbaijani forces used a Russian
weapon in shooting down the Armenian Mi-24 military helicopter on
November 12, Karabakh Defense Minister Movses Hakobyan told RFE/RL's
Armenian Service.
Despite being Armenia's closest political and military ally as well as
a mediator in the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement process, Russia is, at
the same time, one of the largest suppliers of weapons to Azerbaijan.
It is estimated that Moscow has sold modern types of weapons, including
heavy materiel, worth around $4 billion to Baku in the past few years.
"Our observations and data of Azerbaijan show that the helicopter
was shot down from a Strela anti-aircraft missile launcher. This is
Russian self-guided missiles," Hakobyan said on Monday, at the same
time stressing that there is no agreement that would prevent Russia
from selling arms to any country.
The Karabakh minister added: "Of course, it's a pity, because we
are strategic allies, and I think that Russia, pursuing its economic
interests, should also take into account our interests, which does
not happen," he said.
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan also voiced concern over Russian arms
supplies to Azerbaijan last summer. In an interview with Argentina's
Clarin newspaper during his official visit to Buenos Aires in July
Sargsyan, in particular, said: "It is a very painful subject and
our people are worried that our strategic ally sells weapons to
Azerbaijan. But we are very confident that Armenia has the capability
to defend its borders...Despite the fact that Russia sells weapons
[to Azerbaijan] I have no doubts Russia will honor its commitments
to us in times of adversity."
Russian officials describe arms supplies to Azerbaijan as "business".
Some experts also point out that even if Russia did not sell arms
to Azerbaijan, Baku could buy similar types of weapons from other
countries.