Eduard Sharmazanov: By defending Stalingrad, Armenians were defending  Armenia from possible attacks by Turkey

ArmInfo.  By defending Stalingrad, Armenian soldiers were simultaneously defending Armenia from possible attacks by Turkey. Former Vice Speaker of the Armenian Parliament and member of the Republican Party (RPA) Eduard  Sharmazanov wrote this on his Facebook page on the occasion of the  83rd anniversary of the defeat of Nazi troops by Soviet soldiers at  Stalingrad.

 "On February 2, 1943, one of the most significant and  heroic battles of the Great Patriotic War, the Battle of Stalingrad,  concluded. It was of critical importance for the Armenian people. In  the event of a Nazi victory, Turkey was prepared to attack and occupy  Soviet Armenia, which could have led to a final solution to the  Armenian question. Turkey concentrated 26 infantry divisions and  between 750,000 and 1 million troops on the border with Soviet  Armenia," Sharmazanov recalled.

He noted that, according to historical facts, Turkey's initial plan  called for entering the war in late November 1942. However, as the  Republican explained, the first major defeats suffered by the German  Wehrmacht between November 19 and 23 prevented Turkey from crossing  the border. "About 30,000 Armenian soldiers participated in this  heroic battle, which lasted several months, of whom 10,000 died in  the fierce fighting. For their courage, many Armenians were awarded  high honors, and five of them received the title Hero of the Soviet  Union. The soldiers of the 76th Rifle Division of Armenia, which was  later renamed the 51st Guards Division, demonstrated particular  heroism," the RPA member emphasized.

According to Sharmazanov, the Soviet Army's victory at Stalingrad was  highly praised by the Allies. As the RPA member recalled, US  President Franklin Roosevelt admired the heroism of the Soviet  soldiers and emphasized that this victory was a turning point in the  war against the aggressor, while British Prime Minister Winston  Churchill noted that "Stalingrad became a symbol of courage," calling  on future generations to remember this great victory on the banks of  the Volga. The Republican noted that his grandfather, Petros Avagyan,  also fought in the Battle of Stalingrad and was seriously wounded.  "He always emphasized that while defending Stalingrad, they were  simultaneously defending Armenia from Turkish attacks. Eternal glory  to the heroes of Stalingrad!" Sharmazanov concluded.