Azerbaijani-Turkish joint Winter-2021 military drills launch today in Turkey’s Kars and will last till February 12.

Former deputy defense minister Artak Zakaryan claims that Armenia must not view it “other way.”

He stressed that these drills are the most large-scale Turkish-Azerbaijani winter drills for the past years.

Speaking to Aysor.am, Zakaryan noted that subdivisions located separately in Nakhijevan, Turkey’s third army will participate in it. He said tank battalions, artillery, snipers, forces of special significance and aviation will take part in them.

He noted that as a rule the drills have a goal and are the continuation of certain policy.

The former official said for Armenia this Turkish-Azerbaijani drills contain serious danger.

“Taking into account Turkey’s military, political activation in the region they should not be viewed other way. We have witnessed how these authorities looked Turkey’s actions other way and what we had in Artsakh as a result,” he said, stressing that Armenia should rapidly bring Armenian-Russian military-political cooperation to the highest level.

“Armenia must conduct joint Armenian-Russian drills in Syunik, in border with Nakhijevan, as well as in Gyumri sector and these drills must have concrete targeted actions to counterbalance these drills,” Zakaryan said.

Asked whether Russia may serve as restricting circle for Azerbaijan and Turkey for them to refrain from provocations, the former deputy minister said that the Armenian-Russian joint contracts are working.

“Armenia’s security for Russia too is a security zone, but the issue is that the Turkish-Azerbaijani drills in the sector of Kars are being held for the first time in winter conditions. Judging from the location, judging from key issues of the drills, yes, as key target as conditional enemy must be viewed Armenia’s borders, especially Syunik’s sector,” Zakaryan said.