YEREVAN, Mar 19 A rally was held in Yerevan in support of the Russian special operation in Ukraine, a correspondent reports RIA Novosti. Participants gathered in the center of the capital and headed to the Russian embassy. In their hands were the flags of Armenia and Russia, the banner of victory, posters with the letters Z and V.
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«We are supporters of freedom, self-determination, Armenian-Russian friendship. Today, our ally is waging a civilizational struggle. This is a civilizational conflict. By defending Russia, we are protecting our identity, traditions, our traditional families, the church,» said one of the organizers of the action, the leader of the movement » Strong Armenia with Russia. For a new alliance» Hayk Babukhanyan. According to him, the protesters say «no» to Nazism. «Our people suffered from Nazism. <…> Our grandfathers fought against Nazism during the Great Patriotic War, and now we we say that Nazism tramples on the right of peoples to self-determination, Nazism does not recognize the equality of peoples, it tries to suppress anyone who strives for freedom,” said Babukhanyan. Vahram Mkrtchyan, a member of the executive committee of the Strong Armenia with Russia. , created in February last year, closer and more comprehensive integration with Russia — up to the format of a union state. «A few days ago we were in the regions. communities, members of village councils and the population of the villages suggested that this issue be put to a referendum as soon as possible,» he stressed. Mkrtchyan warned supporters of the European course that in the event of a weakening of Russian positions, the influence of Turkey, «a conductor of NATO interests,» would increase. Russia launched a military operation on Ukraine February 24th. President Vladimir Putin called its goal «the protection of people who have been subjected to bullying and genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years.» For this, according to him, it is planned to carry out «demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine», to bring to justice all war criminals responsible for «bloody crimes against civilians» in Donbass. According to the Ministry of Defense, the Armed Forces strike only at military infrastructure and Ukrainian troops. With the support of the Russian Armed Forces, the DPR and LPR groups are developing an offensive, but there is no talk of the occupation of Ukraine, Putin emphasized. Putin on the start date of the special operation in Ukraine