Armenian speaker accuses Russia of hybrid warfare Labels Ex-President Kocharyan a Spy

Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan has accused Russia of conducting a hybrid war against Armenia and branded former president Robert Kocharyan a Russian spy.

Speaking to journalists following a meeting with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kopyrkin, who had visited the National Assembly, Simonyan claimed that financial resources from Russia were being channelled to destabilise the country, Caliber.Az reports per Armenian media.

“I am a politician and have the right to make political statements. He [Kocharyan] serves only Russian interests. His rhetoric fully aligns with Moscow’s position,” Simonyan said.

He further alleged that a concerted campaign was underway to influence Armenian politics, involving foreign funding and media manipulation.

“Please remember there is real life outside your opposition media outlets, bloggers and Facebook. I am aware that large sums of money are being spent, including from abroad – particularly from our northern neighbour,” he stated.

“There is an ongoing hybrid war against Armenia, which intensifies from time to time – for example, when various commentators on Russian television, often with Armenian-sounding names, try to push for regime change here, announce protests, and so forth,” he said.

Simonyan also warned that these efforts would likely escalate ahead of 2026 but expressed confidence in the government’s growing popularity.

“I’ll say it openly: it will have the opposite effect. The approval rating of the current government will double – and we will be grateful for it,” he concluded.

By Aghakazim Guliyev