Russia has rejected claims of a “hybrid war” against Armenia, calling them unfounded and politically motivated. Maria Zakharova emphasized Moscow’s respect for Armenia’s sovereignty, pointing to ongoing cooperation and recent infrastructure and food supply projects between the two countries.
Russia Responds to Armenian Claims of “Hybrid War”
As political discourse intensifies in Armenia ahead of its parliamentary elections scheduled for June 2026, the Russian Foreign Ministry has responded to claims emerging from Yerevan about “hybrid wars” allegedly being waged against the country. Speaking at a regular briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova addressed the statements made by Armenian officials and experts, including National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan, on the issue.
Zakharova noted that the concept of “hybrid wars” was originally devised and implemented by American military strategists, emphasizing that Russia has never engaged in such practices. “Indeed, we have observed a series of such assertions from both experts and official representatives of Armenia,” she said, adding that it is worth recalling how the notion of hybrid warfare was formulated in the United States and quickly applied in geopolitical conflicts.
She drew a parallel with Georgia, Armenia’s neighboring state, where the so-called “collective West” allegedly demonstrated what she described as “its full hybrid splendour.” According to Zakharova, Western actors crudely interfered in Georgia’s domestic politics, encouraged Maidan-style unrest, and sought to deprive Tbilisi of the right to chart its own course. “The West engaged in outright political blackmail by threatening to revoke Georgia’s already illusory European aspirations,” she remarked.
In contrast, Zakharova stressed that such tactics are completely alien to Russia. “We have always respected and will continue to respect the sovereign decisions of any nation,” she affirmed. However, she pointed out that the ongoing accusations of a hybrid war against Armenia are being voiced even as individuals in the country who support stronger relations with Russia are facing political persecution. “This seems to follow a familiar pattern used in other nations, including Moldova,” she said.
The Russian diplomat reiterated Moscow’s readiness to hold constructive dialogue with Armenia to resolve any misunderstandings or concerns. “We are prepared to address any concerns of our Armenian colleagues, both through parliamentary channels and within the framework of consultations proposed by our pertinent agencies,” Zakharova stated. She also suggested that, if necessary, Russia is open to working jointly to “amend the prevailing narrative surrounding Russian-Armenian relations.”
Highlighting the longstanding partnership between the two countries, Zakharova reaffirmed that Russia has always been and remains a reliable ally of Armenia. “Moscow promptly aids our fraternal nation whenever needed,” she noted, citing several recent examples of cooperation. Among them was Russia’s assistance in June 2024, when Russian specialists helped restore flood-damaged railway tracks in northern Armenia within weeks.
Zakharova also pointed to a more recent achievement — the expedited delivery of Russian wheat to Armenia through a newly established railway route passing via Azerbaijan and Georgia. “The first shipment arrived on the night of November 6,” she said, emphasizing that this logistical success was made possible largely through the efforts of the Trilateral Working Group on Unblocking Regional Communications, as well as the agreements reached by the leaders of Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan between 2020 and 2022.
The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson concluded by underlining Moscow’s consistent approach toward peace and stability in the South Caucasus. “While participating in the normalisation of relations between Armenia, Azerbaijan, and other regional actors, Russia has always upheld the sovereign national interests of each country,” she said. In contrast, she questioned the effectiveness of Western mediation efforts in the region, arguing that “the West’s mediation has yet to withstand the test of time.”
With Armenia’s political environment heating up ahead of the 2026 elections, Russia’s latest statements appear aimed at reinforcing its image as a dependable and respectful partner, while simultaneously drawing attention to what it sees as Western interference in the South Caucasus.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on official statements from the Russian Foreign Ministry. The views expressed by the spokesperson do not necessarily reflect those of this publication.