Armenian border guards replace Russian forces on border with Türkiye

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced the termination of Russian border guards' activities at the border checkpoint between Armenia and Türkiye.

"From today, border service at the Margara checkpoint on the state border between Armenia and Türkiye is carried out exclusively by the Border Troops of Armenia," Pashinyan wrote on the social media platform Caliber.Az reports.

According to him, the Margara checkpoint is not operational due to the closure of the state border between Armenia and Türkiye.

"In the summer of 2022, by decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, the checkpoint was fully renovated, and units of the Border Troops of the Russian Federation began permanent service there," Pashinyan noted.

He expressed gratitude to the Russian border forces "for their service at this section of the Armenian-Turkish state border."

"The transfer of the Margara border checkpoint under the control of the Armenian Border Troops means that as of March 1, 2025, border control for all individuals entering and leaving the Republic of Armenia will be conducted exclusively by Armenian Border Troops, as only Armenian Border Troops serve at all such checkpoints (both operational and non-operational)," the Armenian Prime Minister stated.

Since January 2025, Russian border guards have ceased their service at the Agarak checkpoint on Armenia's border with Iran.

On August 1, 2024, representatives of Russia’s FSB Border Service completed their duties at Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport.

Representatives of Russia’s FSB Border Directorate, together with the Border Troops of Armenia’s National Security Service, have been guarding Armenia's borders with Türkiye and Iran based on a 1992 agreement.

By Vugar Khalilov