Shair Ramaldanov: "There's a lot to learn from Azerbaijani army experience"

On the night of November 9-10, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on the complete cessation of hostilities in Karabakh. According to the document, the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides remained in their occupied positions, and Russian peacekeepers were stationed in the region. Also, Aghdam (November 20), Kelbajar (November 25) and Lachin (December 1) regions returned under the control of Azerbaijan. A retired colonel, military expert Shair Ramaldanov told Vestnik Kavkaza about the implementation of the document and the upcoming Victory Parade.

- How would you assess the implementation of the document signed by the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia?

- Azerbaijan set itself the goal of de-occupation of its territory and restoration of territorial integrity. This goal has been achieved. Now the peacekeeping forces are on the territory of Azerbaijan. This is an understandable phenomenon, because at the initial stage there can be provocations. All points of the signed document meet the interests of Azerbaijan. This is of historical importance for Azerbaijan. Many moments will go down in the history of military art, will be studied, research will be conducted. The Lachin region was the last settlement where the point was fulfilled, according to which the occupying forces leave the Azerbaijani lands, and the territorial integrity of our country is restored.

- How do you assess the decision that Azerbaijan will celebrate Victory Day on November 8, the day of the liberation of Shushi?

- Proudly. After the liberation of Shusha, the occupation troops were demoralized, there was a massive desertion. The next day, 70 more settlements were liberated practically without a fight. It was after the liberation of Shushi that a document on the cessation of hostilities was signed. In short, November 8 - the day of the liberation of Shushi - put an end to the hostilities.

The eighth number is symbolic. It was on May 8, 1992 that Shusha was captured by the Armenian occupation forces. They spent their "victory day" there. Now everything has changed! From now on, on November 8, Azerbaijan will celebrate the Day of Victory in the Liberation War. I think that the liberation of Shushi and other territories will be in the center of deep research. This is a unique historical event for Azerbaijan. People are already turning to us to learn from the experience of conducting military operations; the Azerbaijani army has a lot to learn. I think that after the conducted research, we will find out a lot of details about the 44 days of hostilities.

- On December 10, Azerbaijan is preparing to hold the Victory Parade. Is there any information on how it will take place?

- The date of the parade has not yet been precisely determined, but preparations for it are in full swing. In this regard, I want to remind you that at the parade in honor of the 100th anniversary of our Armed Forces, the Supreme Commander, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said that our army is strong enough, it is able to defeat the enemy and restore territorial integrity; we will win and carry the banner of Victory across Freedom Square in Baku.

About two years have passed and this has been fulfilled. I think that the parade will be grandiose, because it has historical significance, perhaps the most important of all events in the entire history of Azerbaijan. The parade program - the passage of troops, combatants; there will be representatives of all units that took part in the hostilities to liberate the occupied lands; there will be all kinds of troops, possibly veterans. Military equipment will pass through the square, perhaps even the one that was captured from the enemy. The troops are now preparing for the parade.