A memorial plate was unveiled Saturday in Yeraskh in memory of the crewmembers of the Russian Mi-24 military helicopter that had been shot down by Azerbaijani forces on November 9 over Armenia. The event, which was initiated by 'Peace' Foundation, started with prayers, later the national anthems of Armenia and Russia were played. It was announced that a memorial complex dedicated to the Armenian-Russian friendship will be build in Yeraskh. 

The Head of Bright Armenia party Edmon Marukyan, present at the event, noted that the Russian pilots, who were in Armenia for a peacekeeping mission,  joined the thousands of Armenian servicemen, who fell during the Karabakh war. Marukyan condemned the terrorist act by Azerbaijan.  

Lawmaker form Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) Arman Abovyan conveyed condolences on behalf of PAP leader Gagik Tsarukyan and the whole party. 

"The killed Russian pilots  became the symbol of the century-long Armenian-Russian friendship," Abovyan stressed. 

Spokesperson of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), Eduard Sharmazanov noted that shooting down the helicopter was not only against Armenia, Russia, but the Russian-Armenian friendship and even the Christian civilization. 

Highlighting the Armenian-Russian friendship, Sharmazanov stressed there can be no person in Armenia who can downgrade that friendship especially after the recent war. 

To remind, a Russian Mi-24 military helicopter was shot down over Armenia near the border with Azerbaijan on November 9. Two crew-members died and the third pilot was wounded. Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry announced shortly that the helicopter had been shot down by the Azeri armed forces by mistake.