Heroes. Hayk Papyan

“Undefeated, scornful of pain, nimble, physically strong, resourceful, from an early age he learned to self-orient in the terrain, to master weapon, material arts. It can be said Hayk was a ready soldier with his whole being.” (Hayk Papyan’s uncle tells)

The hero of this edition of “The heroes” program is Hayk Papyan from the Berd community of Tavush region. As in life, so in the field, he chose not to surrender until the end, putting honor and his love towards his Homeland above anything else. There are many witnesses to his actions on the battlefield from his commanders and friends and comrades-in-arms saved by him.

“On October 5, when the commander was injured, Hayk and his friends took over, and they stayed in their positions and fought till the end.”

Hayk Papyan was born in Berd, Tavush region, on January 20, 2001. He studied at Berd Basic School N 4. From the age of 10, he participated in the Armenian freestyle wrestling championships as well as international tournaments and won honorable positions.

In 2015, he entered Yerevan State Sports college of Olympic Shift, where he continued his sports career and received a qualification as a coach. Then, he entered the second year of the Armenian State Institute of Physical Culture, Department of Freestyle Wrestling. In 2019 he was drafted into the army on July 5. After serving for six months in Hoktemberyan military unit; then, he was transferred to Goris and received the rank of sergeant.

On September 27, after the explosion of his equipment, he was injured, but he didn’t stay in the hospital and moved up to his friends.

Hayk brought out the bodies of his many friends during the enemy shelling. Placing all the soldiers on IFV entrusted to him, he moved them to a safe place. Then, in order to confuse the enemy, he took the soldiers to a safe place, returned with the enemy’s damaged equipment, left the equipment in the pit, and then returned to the troops on foot.

On October 15, during the occupation of Havsli position of Jabrail by the enemy, 18 soldiers remained under bombardment and were considered missing until December 18.

Hayk Papyan was posthumously awarded “Combat Service” and “Courage” medals.

Hayk wanted to return to his village to open a sports school and work as a coach. Now his younger brother, Gevorg, wants to make his brother’s dream come true, and he wants to become a champion in wrestling.