Russian diplomat: The battle of Oshakan once again demonstrated the  ability of the two peoples to jointly resist an external threat

ArmInfo.Oshakan battle as a key event of the Russian-Persian war of 1827-1828 has once again demonstrated the ability of the two peoples to jointly confront an  external threat, sacrifice themselves with fortitude and heroism for  the sake of common interests.

Charge d'Affaires of the Russian Embassy in Armenia Alexei Sinegubov stated this on August 17 in Oshakan at a solemn event timed to the 194th anniversary of the  Oshakan battle.

"Like the heroic feat of our ancestors during the Great Patriotic  War, using the example of the heroes of the Oshakan battle, we can  safely teach the youth about patriotism, the protection of national  and patriotic values. Referring to the events of the common  Russian-Armenian history, we pay tribute to the memory of the  defenders of Holy Etchmiadzin. I would like to wish our fraternal  peoples a peaceful sky over their heads and prosperity, "said  Sinegubov. Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports  of Armenia Artur Martirosyan also emphasized the special role of the  Oshakan battle in the Armenian-Russian relations. According to the  Deputy Minister, this historic event shows a strong bond between the  two fraternal peoples.

"In all trials, the Armenian and Russian people fought side by side,  and I am sure that the Armenian- Russian union will last for many  years and centuries. I am sure that the long-standing friendly  relations between our peoples will continue to develop in line with  mutual understanding and mutual support, "Martirosyan said.

In turn, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of  Armenia Andranik Makaryan stressed that centuries have passed since  the Oshakan battle, and the Russian-Caucasian army has not suffered a  single defeat in the territory of the Caucasus thanks to the support  and participation of the Armenian population in all wars and armed  conflicts.

"Outstanding Armenian commanders, officers and generals of Armenian  origin grew up in the ranks of the Russian-Caucasian army. Today,  together with the armed forces of Armenia, the armed forces of Russia  in the person of the 102nd military base, peacekeeping contingent,  border troops of the FSS of the Russian Federation, together with us,  are doing everything to protect and defend our Armenia. Long live the  centuries-old, indestructible, reinforced concrete friendship between  Russia and Armenia, "Andranik Makaryan said.

To note, the event with the participation of officials of Armenia and  Russia, representatives of the Armenian and Russian clergy, military,  veterans, public, youth, Cossack organizations was held on Tuesday  near the monument to the Heroes of Oshakan in the Armavir region. The  organizers were the Russian Embassy in Armenia, the Russian House in  Yerevan (Rossotrudnichestvo in Armenia) and the administration of the  Armavir region.

During the solemn meeting, wreaths and flowers were laid at the  monument to the Heroes of Oshakan.  Also, the memory of those killed  for the Motherland was honored with a minute of silence, and  representatives of the Armenian Apostolic and Russian Orthodox  Churches held a service.  The Battle of Oshakan in 1827 is one of the  heroic pages of the Russian-Persian war, during which Eastern Armenia  was liberated from the Persian yoke and annexed to Russia. Then, near  the Armenian village of Oshakan, a bloody battle took place between  the army of the heir to the Persian throne Abbas-Mirza and the  Russian military detachment under the command of Lieutenant General  Athanasius Krasovsky, who came to the aid of the Mother See of Holy  Etchmiadzin besieged by the Persian troops. Together with Russian  soldiers, Armenian volunteers led by Catholicos Nerses Ashtaraketsi  fought in a fierce battle. The victory at Oshakan was immortalized in  1833-1834 monument in honor of over 1130 fallen Russian soldiers. In  April 2011, the monument was inaugurated after restoration.