Armenian memorials reportedly destroyed in Astghashen, Artsakh

(Horizon Media / YEREVAN) — Azerbaijani authorities have reportedly destroyed two Armenian memorials in the village of Astghashen in Artsakh, according to Artsakh Monuments.

The organization said its conclusion is based on the analysis of satellite images taken between April 19, 2024, and July 15, 2025. One of the destroyed monuments was dedicated to local Armenian fighters who were killed during the Artsakh liberation struggle.

According to Artsakh Monuments, a second memorial in the same village, dedicated to residents of Astghashen who died during the Second World War (referred to as the Great Patriotic War in post-Soviet states), was also destroyed during the same period. The monument had been erected in the 1970s.

“Does Maria Zakharova have anything to say about this?” the organization said in its statement, referring to the spokesperson of Russia’s Foreign Ministry.

The reported destruction adds to continuing concerns over the fate of Armenian cultural, historical, and memorial heritage in Artsakh following Azerbaijan’s military offensive in September 2023 and its occupation of the region.