“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.

“If Hakob devoted himself to something, he devoted himself completely …”

His friends say that in the hottest moments of the battle when the position already had no commander, he took upon himself the responsibility of coordinating the actions, showing the greatest courage.
The hero of this edition of “The heroes” program is Hakob Meliksetyan.

Hakob Meliksetyan was born on October 16, 2000 in Getahovit village, Tavush region.

 

In 2018, after graduating from Getahovit Secondary School, he got admitted to the department of Applied arts at YSU Ijevan Branch. He was extremely kind, smiling, and funny.

On January 11, 2019, leaving his education halfway, he was drafted into the army. He served in the “Martuni-2” military unit of the Artsakh Armed Forces. He was an air defense specialist. In 2020, from the first day of the war, Hakob fought with his friends against the enemy’s large forces. He shot down several drones and a fighter plane. On October 7, he died in Martuni.

Hakob Meliksetyan was awarded medals for “Courage,” “Brave Warrior,” and “Mother of Charity”.

 

“During the war, he said that he drank coffee with the Turks every morning; he said they were a few meters away from us. We wake up every morning and drink coffee together, and sometimes, we also have dinner together. He made everything a joke. ”

The hero of our regular edition of “The Heroes” TV program is Yura Harutyunyan. During the 44-day war, he destroyed 2 enemy tanks, 5 infantry military vehicles, 3 “Urals,” 2 “Kamaz” cars, and 2 tractors, showing amazing courage and strength of spirit.

Yura was born on April 15, 2001, in Berd, Tavush region. In 2007 he attended Berd Basic School number 4. He studied very well and loved all the subjects, especially mathematics.

In 2019, after graduating from school, he got admitted to the Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics at YSU IB. On July 5, he was sent to the army. After serving 6 months in the specialized military unit of Gyumri, he received the rank of junior sergeant and 2 badges and left for Artsakh to continue service.

 

After serving 3 months in Artsakh, he received the rank of sergeant and two more badges. Yura learned the dialect of Artsakh.

From September 27 to October 30, 2020, he actively participated in combat operations. He fought in Fizuli, Jabrayil, Hadrut, and Martuni. He was very enthusiastic during the war; he destroyed 2 enemy tanks, 5 infantry military vehicles, 3 “Urals,” 2 “Kamaz” cars, and 2 tractors. On October 30, on the way from the village of Kert, he received a fatal shrapnel wound from an enemy drone strike.

Yura Harutyunyan was posthumously awarded “Combat Cross” 1st degree, “Combat Service,” and “Mother of Charity” medals.

Yura’s comrades-in-arms testify “Yura inspired all of us.” they speak with admiration about his devotion and cheerfulness.

“If you ask me to describe Samvel in one word, I will say light….”

There is no greater love than sacrificing one’s life for others. There is no greater love than sacrificing one’s life for the Homeland. The Heroes program today tells about the hero Samvel Matinyan.
Samvel Matinyan was born on February 24, 1996, in Aygehovit, Tavush region. He was the third and most expected child of the family.

In 2002 he got admitted to Aygehovit Secondary School, named after Artashes Vasilyan. In 2013, he graduated from school with excellence, then he got admitted to two higher educational institutions: Yerevan State University, the Department of Physics and Mathematics, and Military University, named after Vazgen Sargsyan.
The choice wasn’t hard; the military profession was closer to his heart. He was an artilleryman. He studied at the university for 4years, and after receiving the rank of lieutenant, he went to Jrakan as a squad commander. The choice was not accidental, as he had passed a professional trial period in Jrakan, took part in the April war, and fell in love with the region.

Samvel was a brilliant artilleryman with high professional and human qualities. Already in the third year, he was the Commander of a Motor-Rifle company, with the rank of Captain. He loved his work and cared about every soldier, and it is not accidental that none of the soldiers of his company died in the war. He was truly devoted to his work to be called an officer.

 

During the 44-day war, Samvel fought against the enemy for 35 days and then was surrounded and led his army out of the blockade. His earthly life ended at the age of 24 on the battlefield.

Samvel Matinyan was posthumously awarded “Zoravar Andranik,” “Courage,” and “Military Service” medals.

Our today’s hero of “The Heroes” program is Sergey. Sergey took the Ural loaded with ammunition and drove it under fire from a distance of 700 meters, not listening to the urgings of either the Commander or his friends. He came back with a laugh typical to him.
Being the real son of the land, water, and forests of native Tavush, Sergey Petrosyan went to the front with happiness. He forbade his friends to protest or get sad.

 

Sergey Petrosyan was born in 2001 in Ijevan. He studied at Getahovit Secondary School. After graduating from school, he got admitted to a college. Then, leaving his education halfway, he was drafted into the army. He served in the “Martuni-2” military unit.

Sergey had two sisters and was the only son of the family. His family members and friends remember him as cheerful, playful, and hardworking.

He was in the front from the first day. He last talked to his family on October 22 and gave hope that everything would be fine. Sergey and his friends took one position in Varanda. Sergey also saved the life of his comrade-in-arms. Sergey fought in the five hottest spots. On October 23, he died in the battles for Varanda.

He was posthumously awarded a medal for courage.

Our next issue of “The Heroes” program tells about Suren Meliksetyan from Tavush. Everyone remembers Suren as an extraordinary patriot not only with words but also with his life.

He was born in Berd and then moved to Yerevan. All his dreams were related to his Homeland. He was sure that “The best place in the world to live is Armenia.”

Suren Melikbekyan was born on October 18, 1998, in Berd, Tavush region. He attended Berd Basic School Number 4.

During his school years, he stood out with his exceptional abilities. He participated in a number of competitions. He had contributed to all the events of the region.

In 2016 Suren got admitted to Yerevan State University. In 2020 he graduated with excellence and got admitted to a Master’s degree.

Leaving his education halfway, Suren was drafted into the army on August 19, 2020. He served in Martakert, The Republic of Artsakh. He died on the first day of the war when he was hit by a drone.

Today’s hero of “The Heroes” program is Mikael Yeganyan.

Mikael Yeganyan was a grenadier. He was born on August 14, 2001, in Lusadzor village, Tavush region. He studied at Lusadzor Secondary School.

In January 2019, Mikael was drafted into the army under the program “Yes em.” He died on October 1, 2020, on the way to the hospital.

Mikael Yeganyan was posthumously awarded “For Courage” and “Military service” medals.

He wanted to have children, to build and reconstruct his house. He was the only child in the family, and he became responsible for his family. He loved his Homeland the same way and was responsible for the Homeland in the same way.

Zhora was calm, modest, caring, and devoted. This is how he has remained and will remain in the hearts of his relatives and friends as a hero who dedicated his life for the sake of many. In this issue of “The Heroes” program, we talk about Zhora Parsyan.

Zhora Parsyan was born on January 12, 2001 in Ijevan. Since 2006, he attended Number 5 Secondary School of Ijevan. Since 2012, he also attended “Avanduyt” Music school, the department of drums. He participated in various festivals and came back with victories.

In 2015, he entered the Regional State College of Ijevan, the department of finance. He graduated with excellence in 2018 and was planning to apply to the university. He participated in the shooting tournament and took first place in Tavush region.

 

On July 19, 2019, he started serving in Sisian and was a Sergeant. On September 8, 2020, he moved to Artsakh. He fought in Jrakan, Varanda, and Hadrut, where he died on October 14.

Like many others, during the 44-day Artsakh war, Zhora also made his choice, and he chose the Homeland and the lives of the people of his Homeland.

“He was like a real happiness ….” He was good-hearted, reliable, and helpful. All his family, friends, and teachers remember him like this. And his comrades-in-arms witness his feats and that he saved lives.