Tag: Ruben Vardanyan
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Ruben Vardanyan gave up his Russian citizenship to become State Minister of Artsakh in November 2022, a move widely seen as a commitment to the survival of the Armenian-governed enclave. He was removed from the post in February 2023 under pressure from Azerbaijan before the Lachin corridor blockade reached its peak. After Azerbaijan’s military offensive in September 2023 ended Armenian governance of Nagorno Karabakh and resulted in the ethnic cleansing of its entire Armenian population, Vardanyan was detained by Azerbaijani authorities while attempting to leave the region.
Groong has followed his case closely since his detention, covering the legal proceedings against him in Baku, international calls for his release, and the broader pattern of Artsakh political and civic leaders held as prisoners by Azerbaijan. His case has become a focal point for Armenian diaspora advocacy and for international human rights organizations monitoring the aftermath of the conflict.
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 231, Feb 24, 2023 [EP231]
Posted on Friday, Feb 24, 2023 | Category: Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Russia
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 231, Feb 24, 2023
Armenian News Network Groong - Feb 24, 2023
Guest:
Topics:
- Rouben Vardanyan sacked in Stepanakert
- Samuel Babayan in Artsakh
- Azeri and Artsakh reps meet to resume Gas & Electricity
- Further Azeri demands, Artsakh red lines
- Medical topics
Episode 231 | Recorded: February 24, 2023
Suren Sargsyan: Artsakh Under Blockade - Day 72 [EP228]
Posted on Tuesday, Feb 21, 2023 | Category: Artsakh, Politics, Geopolitics, Russia, Azerbaijan, Artsakh Blockade, 168am | Series: cog, video
Guests:
- Suren Sargsyan, founder and a President at the Armenian Center for American Studies, a research center based in Yerevan.
“Pashinyanâs participation in Munich Security Conference didnât give anything to Armenia” - Suren Sargsyan
Topic:
Today is day 72 of the total blockade of Artsakh. For 72 days, the 120K citizens of Artsakh have not had the ability to enter or exit their country. They are deprived of the ability to visit Armenia or to receive guests from Armenia. With very limited supplies, they are forced to ration food with the help of food stamps in order to
Read MoreSuren Sargsyan: Artsakh Under Blockade - Day 72 [EP228]
Posted on Tuesday, Feb 21, 2023 | Category: Artsakh, Politics, Geopolitics, Russia, Azerbaijan, Artsakh Blockade, 168amGuests:
- Suren Sargsyan, founder and a President at the Armenian Center for American Studies, a research center based in Yerevan.
“Pashinyanâs participation in Munich Security Conference didnât give anything to Armenia” - Suren Sargsyan
Topic:
Today is day 72 of the total blockade of Artsakh. For 72 days, the 120K citizens of Artsakh have not had the ability to enter or exit their country. They are deprived of the ability to visit Armenia or to receive guests from Armenia. With very limited supplies, they are forced to ration food with the help of food stamps in order to
Read MoreArtsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 227, Feb 21, 2023 [EP227]
Posted on Tuesday, Feb 21, 2023 | Category: Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan | Series: artsakhblockade
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 227, Feb 21, 2023
Armenian News Network Groong - Feb 21, 2023
Guest:
Topics:
- The Politics around Ruben Vardanyan
Episode 227 | Recorded: February 21, 2023
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 227, Feb 21, 2023 [EP227]
Posted on Tuesday, Feb 21, 2023 | Category: Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, AzerbaijanArtsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 227, Feb 21, 2023
Armenian News Network Groong - Feb 21, 2023
Guest:
Topics:
- The Politics around Ruben Vardanyan
Episode 227 | Recorded: February 21, 2023
35th Anniversary of the Karabakh Movement | Russia Warns the EU and Armenia | Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations Continue | Ep 226 - Feb 19, 2023 [EP226]
Posted on Monday, Feb 20, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Russia | Series: wir
Guest:
Topics:
- 35th Anniversary of the Karabakh Movement
- Russia Warns the EU and Armenia
- Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations Continue
- Personal topics
Episode 226 | Recorded: February 19, 2023
35th Anniversary of the Karabakh Movement | Russia Warns the EU and Armenia | Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations Continue | Ep 226 - Feb 19, 2023 [EP226]
Posted on Monday, Feb 20, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, RussiaGuest:
Topics:
- 35th Anniversary of the Karabakh Movement
- Russia Warns the EU and Armenia
- Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations Continue
- Personal topics
Episode 226 | Recorded: February 19, 2023
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 220, Jan 31, 2023 [EP220]
Posted on Tuesday, Jan 31, 2023 | Category: Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan | Series: artsakhblockade
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 220, Jan 31, 2023
Armenian News Network Groong - Jan 31, 2023
Guest:
Topics:
- Why less than daily updates
- January 31 Update
- Over 183 births since the blockade
- Gas has been on for 2 days now
- Some Service sector workers working again
Episode 220 | Recorded: January 31, 2023
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 220, Jan 31, 2023 [EP220]
Posted on Tuesday, Jan 31, 2023 | Category: Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, AzerbaijanArtsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 220, Jan 31, 2023
Armenian News Network Groong - Jan 31, 2023
Guest:
Topics:
- Why less than daily updates
- January 31 Update
- Over 183 births since the blockade
- Gas has been on for 2 days now
- Some Service sector workers working again
Episode 220 | Recorded: January 31, 2023