«Церковний фронт» та консолідація російських впливів у Вірменії. Готовність Єревану грати у відповідь
The "Church Front" and the Consolidation of Russian Influence in Armenia. Yerevan's Readiness to Play in Response

Summary/Abstract: The article analyzes Russia's attempts to undermine Armenia's independence by manipulating the Karabakh conflict and influencing its internal politics, particularly through the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) and pro-Russian opposition. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's public statements on Moscow's role in the Karabakh peace process highlight Yerevan's shift towards bilateral talks with Baku, making a full peace agreement appear inevitable by late 2025. Russia, losing its main leverage in the South Caucasus, intensified efforts to destabilize Pashinyan's government ahead of the June 2026 parliamentary elections. A "church line" of Russian influence, led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, attempted to orchestrate an "anti-Maidan" protest in Yerevan, leveraging local discontent over border delimitation with Azerbaijan. Armenian security forces thwarted these plans by identifying and exposing Russian-linked agents, including high-ranking clergy and financier Samvel Karapetyan, who was arrested on charges of inciting seizure of power. The article details how Moscow sought to use the church and specific figures to create chaos, hoping for Azerbaijani military intervention to trigger a change in Armenia's government and re-align it with Russia. The author also discusses the historical ties of AAC leaders to Russian special services and the church's role in recruiting Armenians for the war against Ukraine. Pashinyan's assertive stance against these influences is seen as a move to defend Armenia's sovereignty and align with public demand for peace and independence.

• Details
• Contents