Global South World - Armenia

100-year-old Armenian veteran recounts WWII story as last survivor of his platoon

Global South World — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:48:09 Z

He spoke from Yerevan on Saturday. Gspoyan was drafted into the war at the age of 18 and was first sent to Mozhaisk in the Moscow region. He later joined the 89th Taman Rifle Division, where he rose to become a reconnaissance platoon commander.

The 100-year-old showed his military awards and documents from his time in the Red Army. Serving under Soviet military leader Georgy Zhukov, Gspoyan carried out reconnaissance missions behind enemy lines to collect intelligence. During the Battle of Berlin, he sustained serious injuries from shell fragments to his back.

Doctors removed two fragments but left two near his spine due to the risk of damaging nerve endings. He marked Victory Day in the hospital.

After the war, Gspoyan remained in the military until 1951. His service earned him several honours, including the Order of the Patriotic War II degree, the Medal "For Bravery", and personal recognition from Joseph Stalin for his role in the Battle of Berlin.

Gspoyan is now the last living veteran of the 89th Taman Division. On May 9, 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of Victory, Russian President Vladimir Putin personally congratulated Armenian veterans after the parade on Red Square.

Turkish flag burned during torchlight procession marking 111 years since Armenian Genocide

Global South World — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:16:10 Z

Footage from the event shows crowds walking from Republic Square to the Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex. Participants carried a large Armenian flag and held lit torches and candles. Some individuals were also seen burning the Turkish flag during the procession.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reportedly condemned the flag-burning, describing it as “provocative and tension-inducing behaviour.”

April 24 has been declared by the European Parliament as the “Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Armenian Massacres in the Ottoman Empire.”

The events of 1915–1916, which involved the deportation of hundreds of thousands of Armenians, remain a subject of dispute. Turkey maintains that the events cannot be described as a “genocide” and estimates that around 300,000 people were killed. Armenian sources often place the death toll at about 1.5 million.

Two-year-old Armenian boy pushes car after breaking strength record as a six-month-old: Video

Believe Domor — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 17:38:33 Z

Monte Soloyan first went viral as a six-month-old when he managed to hang from a horizontal bar for 22 seconds, something even adults struggle with.

New video filmed this week shows Monte pushing a car, jogging on a treadmill, and lifting tiny dumbbells with surprising ease.

His father, Artem Soloyan, is a decorated strength athlete, but even he says Monte’s abilities caught the family off guard.

“He was only six months old,” Artem recalled. “He hung on for 22 seconds. He could’ve done more, but we stopped him because we got scared. He was stronger than we thought.”

Artem says Monte’s interest in exercise happened naturally. Around age two, the toddler started reaching for the treadmill and later asked if he could try pushing the family car.

“We never forced him,” Artem said. “He really wanted to try, and then he actually pushed the car.”

Strength runs deep in the family, and Artem thinks Monte simply inherited it.

“My grandfather was strong, my father was strong, and I became strong too. I think Monte just has it in his blood,” he said.

Monte’s early achievements have already earned him a spot in Armenia’s Book of Epic Heroes, and his family hopes one day he’ll grow up to represent the country in sports .