Sources: Armenian PM seeks to prevent public blame over military deaths

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has instructed the leadership of the country’s Defence Ministry to take measures to prevent the authorities from being blamed for cases involving the deaths of military personnel, the newspaper Iravunk reported, citing sources.

According to the report, the recent deaths of servicemen in the Armenian military have caused Pashinyan's strong dissatisfaction. The prime minister reportedly instructed Defence Ministry officials to take steps to prevent the public from forming the impression that the authorities bear responsibility for the incidents.

The report did not specify what measures were ordered or identify the sources.

The report comes amid renewed public attention to deaths in the Armenian armed forces. Armenian Defence Minister Suren Papikyan said on August 24 that the recent concentration of fatal incidents was a systemic challenge and rejected the idea that the defence minister alone should be held responsible.

Armenian media have reported several non-combat military deaths in recent weeks. An Armenian human-rights advocate said on August 23 that the number of non-combat deaths in the armed forces had reached 33 during the first eight months of 2026.

By Tamilla Hasanova