So much has already been said about the tragedy of the 44-day war that it may seem there is nothing left to add. Yet every reminder of that war reopens a bleeding wound and serves as further evidence of an unprecedented collapse in state governance. Its consequences include weakened statehood, the deliberate dismantling of state institutions, and deaths in peacetime.<\/p>\n
Everyone remembers the disgraceful scenes when, instead of declaring mobilization, imposing strict wartime management, and ensuring proper command over the military hierarchy, Nikol Pashinyan addressed the public on Facebook, urging volunteers to form groups and head to the front line, bringing whatever uniforms they had and even choosing their own commanders. The state \u2014 with its regular army, General Staff, military units, and military leadership \u2014 effectively abdicated its responsibilities.<\/p>\n
In practice, ad hoc armed detachments were formed, many of which were not attached to any military unit and operated outside a unified command structure. These groups were often sent to the front without proper communications equipment, coordination, or clearly assigned combat objectives. They were given weapons and ammunition, yet received no effective command or oversight. They were sent to their deaths without anti-tank weapons, air defense systems, or even basic protective gear.<\/p>\n
This was not merely a mistake; it was state-engineered chaos that cost thousands of lives.<\/p>\n
There is one aspect of the war that has still not been properly addressed in public discussion. It is an issue that could potentially give rise to criminal proceedings. During the campaign ahead of the 2021 snap parliamentary elections, Nikol Pashinyan effectively acknowledged that weapons had been distributed to civilians during the war on his orders, without proper oversight or registration.<\/p>\n