Day: December 30, 2024

Russian border guards have left the Agarak border checkpoint on the Armenia-Iran border. The Russians, along with Armenians, had been stationed at this checkpoint for over 30 years, reports the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced on December 30 that Armenian border troops had begun patrolling the Agarak checkpoint without Russian forces.

It is likely that the Russian border guards left the area in accordance with an agreement from October 2024, which stated that Armenian border guards would resume control of the checkpoint starting January 1, 2025.

Pashinyan also added that Russian border guards had been stationed at the Agarak checkpoint since 1991.

“Russia’s withdrawal from Agarak checkpoint comes five months after Russian border guards completed withdrew from Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport and further showcases Armenia’s commitment to reducing bilateral security relations with Russia,” the ISW noted.

Armenia’s relations with Russia

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia has been one of Russia’s closest allies. Russian military forces helped the country establish control over parts of Nagorno-Karabakh in the early 1990s and created the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic in the region.

After the signing of a peace treaty in 1994, fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan ceased. However, sporadic clashes between Azerbaijani and Armenian border guards and military forces continued in the region.

The most significant combat resumed in 2020. Azerbaijan, supported by Türkiye, pushed back the front lines in Nagorno-Karabakh and forced Armenian troops to retreat. Russia did not provide sufficient military support to Armenia, and since then, Yerevan has been scaling back its close partnership with Moscow.

In June 2024, Pashinyan announced Armenia’s intention to leave the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

In September, the Armenian government froze its participation at all levels in the CSTO. In December, Pashinyan declared that the country had passed the point of no return regarding its membership in the organization.

Russian border guards have left the Agarak border checkpoint on the Armenia-Iran border. The Russians, along with Armenians, had been stationed at this checkpoint for over 30 years, reports the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced on December 30 that Armenian border troops had begun patrolling the Agarak checkpoint without Russian forces.

It is likely that the Russian border guards left the area in accordance with an agreement from October 2024, which stated that Armenian border guards would resume control of the checkpoint starting January 1, 2025.

Pashinyan also added that Russian border guards had been stationed at the Agarak checkpoint since 1991.

“Russia’s withdrawal from Agarak checkpoint comes five months after Russian border guards completed withdrew from Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport and further showcases Armenia’s commitment to reducing bilateral security relations with Russia,” the ISW noted.

Armenia’s relations with Russia

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia has been one of Russia’s closest allies. Russian military forces helped the country establish control over parts of Nagorno-Karabakh in the early 1990s and created the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic in the region.

After the signing of a peace treaty in 1994, fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan ceased. However, sporadic clashes between Azerbaijani and Armenian border guards and military forces continued in the region.

The most significant combat resumed in 2020. Azerbaijan, supported by Türkiye, pushed back the front lines in Nagorno-Karabakh and forced Armenian troops to retreat. Russia did not provide sufficient military support to Armenia, and since then, Yerevan has been scaling back its close partnership with Moscow.

In June 2024, Pashinyan announced Armenia’s intention to leave the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

In September, the Armenian government froze its participation at all levels in the CSTO. In December, Pashinyan declared that the country had passed the point of no return regarding its membership in the organization.

Russian border guards have left the Agarak border checkpoint on the Armenia-Iran border. The Russians, along with Armenians, had been stationed at this checkpoint for over 30 years, reports the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced on December 30 that Armenian border troops had begun patrolling the Agarak checkpoint without Russian forces.

It is likely that the Russian border guards left the area in accordance with an agreement from October 2024, which stated that Armenian border guards would resume control of the checkpoint starting January 1, 2025.

Pashinyan also added that Russian border guards had been stationed at the Agarak checkpoint since 1991.

“Russia’s withdrawal from Agarak checkpoint comes five months after Russian border guards completed withdrew from Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport and further showcases Armenia’s commitment to reducing bilateral security relations with Russia,” the ISW noted.

Armenia’s relations with Russia

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia has been one of Russia’s closest allies. Russian military forces helped the country establish control over parts of Nagorno-Karabakh in the early 1990s and created the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic in the region.

After the signing of a peace treaty in 1994, fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan ceased. However, sporadic clashes between Azerbaijani and Armenian border guards and military forces continued in the region.

The most significant combat resumed in 2020. Azerbaijan, supported by Türkiye, pushed back the front lines in Nagorno-Karabakh and forced Armenian troops to retreat. Russia did not provide sufficient military support to Armenia, and since then, Yerevan has been scaling back its close partnership with Moscow.

In June 2024, Pashinyan announced Armenia’s intention to leave the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

In September, the Armenian government froze its participation at all levels in the CSTO. In December, Pashinyan declared that the country had passed the point of no return regarding its membership in the organization.

Russian border guards have left the Agarak border checkpoint on the Armenia-Iran border. The Russians, along with Armenians, had been stationed at this checkpoint for over 30 years, reports the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced on December 30 that Armenian border troops had begun patrolling the Agarak checkpoint without Russian forces.

It is likely that the Russian border guards left the area in accordance with an agreement from October 2024, which stated that Armenian border guards would resume control of the checkpoint starting January 1, 2025.

Pashinyan also added that Russian border guards had been stationed at the Agarak checkpoint since 1991.

“Russia’s withdrawal from Agarak checkpoint comes five months after Russian border guards completed withdrew from Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport and further showcases Armenia’s commitment to reducing bilateral security relations with Russia,” the ISW noted.

Armenia’s relations with Russia

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia has been one of Russia’s closest allies. Russian military forces helped the country establish control over parts of Nagorno-Karabakh in the early 1990s and created the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic in the region.

After the signing of a peace treaty in 1994, fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan ceased. However, sporadic clashes between Azerbaijani and Armenian border guards and military forces continued in the region.

The most significant combat resumed in 2020. Azerbaijan, supported by Türkiye, pushed back the front lines in Nagorno-Karabakh and forced Armenian troops to retreat. Russia did not provide sufficient military support to Armenia, and since then, Yerevan has been scaling back its close partnership with Moscow.

In June 2024, Pashinyan announced Armenia’s intention to leave the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

In September, the Armenian government froze its participation at all levels in the CSTO. In December, Pashinyan declared that the country had passed the point of no return regarding its membership in the organization.

Russian border guards have left the Agarak border checkpoint on the Armenia-Iran border. The Russians, along with Armenians, had been stationed at this checkpoint for over 30 years, reports the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced on December 30 that Armenian border troops had begun patrolling the Agarak checkpoint without Russian forces.

It is likely that the Russian border guards left the area in accordance with an agreement from October 2024, which stated that Armenian border guards would resume control of the checkpoint starting January 1, 2025.

Pashinyan also added that Russian border guards had been stationed at the Agarak checkpoint since 1991.

“Russia’s withdrawal from Agarak checkpoint comes five months after Russian border guards completed withdrew from Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport and further showcases Armenia’s commitment to reducing bilateral security relations with Russia,” the ISW noted.

Armenia’s relations with Russia

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia has been one of Russia’s closest allies. Russian military forces helped the country establish control over parts of Nagorno-Karabakh in the early 1990s and created the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic in the region.

After the signing of a peace treaty in 1994, fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan ceased. However, sporadic clashes between Azerbaijani and Armenian border guards and military forces continued in the region.

The most significant combat resumed in 2020. Azerbaijan, supported by Türkiye, pushed back the front lines in Nagorno-Karabakh and forced Armenian troops to retreat. Russia did not provide sufficient military support to Armenia, and since then, Yerevan has been scaling back its close partnership with Moscow.

In June 2024, Pashinyan announced Armenia’s intention to leave the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

In September, the Armenian government froze its participation at all levels in the CSTO. In December, Pashinyan declared that the country had passed the point of no return regarding its membership in the organization.

Since 2022, Russian forces have significantly strengthened the defense of Russia’s international border with Ukraine. The Russian military no longer relies on conscripts or potential deserters for border security, reports the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The ISW references a claim by a Russian military blogger. The blogger stated that Russian troops have deployed “serious” forces to secure the border. He also claimed that a separate unit had been formed for its defense. ISW noted that they were unable to verify this information independently.

Additionally, another blogger with ties to the Kremlin remarked that the recruitment of volunteers in Russia has surged following Ukraine’s invasion of the Kursk region. According to him, many convicted criminals, including former members of the Wagner Group, are now fighting in the Sudzha region. The blogger further stated that Russian prisoners are fighting on the frontlines under a Russian initiative known as Project K. However, he did not provide further details about the project.

Meanwhile, ISW reports that on December 30, another blogger linked to Russia’s Airborne Forces claimed that Russian troops had reorganized the Russian 214th Opfor Separate Special Battalion into a separate Air Assault Battalion.

According to the blogger, the Opfor battalion has been engaged in combat in Ukraine since 2022 and has undergone several reorganizations, including after battles in the Bakhmut direction in 2023.

The blogger also added that throughout 2024, the battalion primarily performed informational tasks and produced films about its combat operations.

Frontline situation

According to the latest data from the General Staff, Russia has lost over 787,000 soldiers in the war against Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

Over the past day, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 17 enemy attacks in the Kursk region.

Meanwhile, Russian forces are preparing to assault the Dnipro in the Kherson region, suffering heavy losses among their personnel.

Since 2022, Russian forces have significantly strengthened the defense of Russia’s international border with Ukraine. The Russian military no longer relies on conscripts or potential deserters for border security, reports the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The ISW references a claim by a Russian military blogger. The blogger stated that Russian troops have deployed “serious” forces to secure the border. He also claimed that a separate unit had been formed for its defense. ISW noted that they were unable to verify this information independently.

Additionally, another blogger with ties to the Kremlin remarked that the recruitment of volunteers in Russia has surged following Ukraine’s invasion of the Kursk region. According to him, many convicted criminals, including former members of the Wagner Group, are now fighting in the Sudzha region. The blogger further stated that Russian prisoners are fighting on the frontlines under a Russian initiative known as Project K. However, he did not provide further details about the project.

Meanwhile, ISW reports that on December 30, another blogger linked to Russia’s Airborne Forces claimed that Russian troops had reorganized the Russian 214th Opfor Separate Special Battalion into a separate Air Assault Battalion.

According to the blogger, the Opfor battalion has been engaged in combat in Ukraine since 2022 and has undergone several reorganizations, including after battles in the Bakhmut direction in 2023.

The blogger also added that throughout 2024, the battalion primarily performed informational tasks and produced films about its combat operations.

Frontline situation

According to the latest data from the General Staff, Russia has lost over 787,000 soldiers in the war against Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

Over the past day, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 17 enemy attacks in the Kursk region.

Meanwhile, Russian forces are preparing to assault the Dnipro in the Kherson region, suffering heavy losses among their personnel.

Since 2022, Russian forces have significantly strengthened the defense of Russia’s international border with Ukraine. The Russian military no longer relies on conscripts or potential deserters for border security, reports the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The ISW references a claim by a Russian military blogger. The blogger stated that Russian troops have deployed “serious” forces to secure the border. He also claimed that a separate unit had been formed for its defense. ISW noted that they were unable to verify this information independently.

Additionally, another blogger with ties to the Kremlin remarked that the recruitment of volunteers in Russia has surged following Ukraine’s invasion of the Kursk region. According to him, many convicted criminals, including former members of the Wagner Group, are now fighting in the Sudzha region. The blogger further stated that Russian prisoners are fighting on the frontlines under a Russian initiative known as Project K. However, he did not provide further details about the project.

Meanwhile, ISW reports that on December 30, another blogger linked to Russia’s Airborne Forces claimed that Russian troops had reorganized the Russian 214th Opfor Separate Special Battalion into a separate Air Assault Battalion.

According to the blogger, the Opfor battalion has been engaged in combat in Ukraine since 2022 and has undergone several reorganizations, including after battles in the Bakhmut direction in 2023.

The blogger also added that throughout 2024, the battalion primarily performed informational tasks and produced films about its combat operations.

Frontline situation

According to the latest data from the General Staff, Russia has lost over 787,000 soldiers in the war against Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

Over the past day, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 17 enemy attacks in the Kursk region.

Meanwhile, Russian forces are preparing to assault the Dnipro in the Kherson region, suffering heavy losses among their personnel.

Since 2022, Russian forces have significantly strengthened the defense of Russia’s international border with Ukraine. The Russian military no longer relies on conscripts or potential deserters for border security, reports the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The ISW references a claim by a Russian military blogger. The blogger stated that Russian troops have deployed “serious” forces to secure the border. He also claimed that a separate unit had been formed for its defense. ISW noted that they were unable to verify this information independently.

Additionally, another blogger with ties to the Kremlin remarked that the recruitment of volunteers in Russia has surged following Ukraine’s invasion of the Kursk region. According to him, many convicted criminals, including former members of the Wagner Group, are now fighting in the Sudzha region. The blogger further stated that Russian prisoners are fighting on the frontlines under a Russian initiative known as Project K. However, he did not provide further details about the project.

Meanwhile, ISW reports that on December 30, another blogger linked to Russia’s Airborne Forces claimed that Russian troops had reorganized the Russian 214th Opfor Separate Special Battalion into a separate Air Assault Battalion.

According to the blogger, the Opfor battalion has been engaged in combat in Ukraine since 2022 and has undergone several reorganizations, including after battles in the Bakhmut direction in 2023.

The blogger also added that throughout 2024, the battalion primarily performed informational tasks and produced films about its combat operations.

Frontline situation

According to the latest data from the General Staff, Russia has lost over 787,000 soldiers in the war against Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

Over the past day, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 17 enemy attacks in the Kursk region.

Meanwhile, Russian forces are preparing to assault the Dnipro in the Kherson region, suffering heavy losses among their personnel.

Since 2022, Russian forces have significantly strengthened the defense of Russia’s international border with Ukraine. The Russian military no longer relies on conscripts or potential deserters for border security, reports the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The ISW references a claim by a Russian military blogger. The blogger stated that Russian troops have deployed “serious” forces to secure the border. He also claimed that a separate unit had been formed for its defense. ISW noted that they were unable to verify this information independently.

Additionally, another blogger with ties to the Kremlin remarked that the recruitment of volunteers in Russia has surged following Ukraine’s invasion of the Kursk region. According to him, many convicted criminals, including former members of the Wagner Group, are now fighting in the Sudzha region. The blogger further stated that Russian prisoners are fighting on the frontlines under a Russian initiative known as Project K. However, he did not provide further details about the project.

Meanwhile, ISW reports that on December 30, another blogger linked to Russia’s Airborne Forces claimed that Russian troops had reorganized the Russian 214th Opfor Separate Special Battalion into a separate Air Assault Battalion.

According to the blogger, the Opfor battalion has been engaged in combat in Ukraine since 2022 and has undergone several reorganizations, including after battles in the Bakhmut direction in 2023.

The blogger also added that throughout 2024, the battalion primarily performed informational tasks and produced films about its combat operations.

Frontline situation

According to the latest data from the General Staff, Russia has lost over 787,000 soldiers in the war against Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

Over the past day, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 17 enemy attacks in the Kursk region.

Meanwhile, Russian forces are preparing to assault the Dnipro in the Kherson region, suffering heavy losses among their personnel.