Armenian Refugees Accuse Russia of Betrayal as Nagorno-Karabakh Crumbles

Refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh are expressing anger and accusing Russia of betrayal after Russian peacekeepers failed to protect them during Azerbaijan’s military operation to seize back the disputed region. President Vladimir Putin’s 2020 guarantee of protection for the region’s population, a cease-fire, and access through the Lachin Corridor was proven empty as Azerbaijan swiftly regained control. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has warned that the entire Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh will leave, accusing Azerbaijan of “ethnic cleansing.” As of Friday, over 77 percent of Nagorno-Karabakh’s estimated population had arrived in Armenia. Many analysts attribute Russia’s failure to the distraction caused by the war in Ukraine and its decreasing authority and influence in the region. However, some believe it was a conscious decision by Putin in a shift to accommodate Azerbaijan and Turkey. The broken trust and betrayal of Armenia by Russia could have long-lasting repercussions in the region.