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Today, June 23, marks the birthday anniversary of Vladimir Melkonyan, an Armenian soldier who fell while defending the Artsakh borders during the 2016 April War. The hero soldier would have turned 24 today.

He was one of the first soldiers who lost his life when Azerbaijani forces launched a full-scale offensive in the early hours of April 2 across the entire contact line, using artillery, armored vehicles and air forces.

For bravery shown Vladimir was posthumously awarded with “For Service in Battle” medals by Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan as well as Armenia’s leadership.

The soldier’s patriotism and dedication to the Artsakh land was passed to him from his father, who was a veteran of the Artsakh Liberation Movement and died from diabetes in 1998. Vladimir’s mother was the one who brought up the two brothers with the help of grandparents.

Vladimir was expected to discharge from army in July 2016. His relatives recalled the serviceman never complained while serving in the army and in fact preferred to serve in Artsakh instead of the Armenian town of Ijevan where he was suggested to pass the army service.

Vladimir Melkonyan was one of the seven servicemen from Gyumri who heroically perished during the four-day war.