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Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan met on Monday with freedom fighters of the volunteer units named after legendary commanders Vladimir Balayan and Shahen Meghryan from the First Artsakh war.

"In this important period of the Armenian history when the security of our people and our national interests are at stake, their role is invaluable, as was the role of Vladimir Balayan and Shahen Meghryan. We will have more opportunities to speak about their heroic deeds for the sake of saving the Motherland, yet are obliged now to meet them, discuss the ongoing affairs and award," Harutyunyan wrote on his Facebook.

The President added that by his decrees volunteers Gevorg Kirakosyan, Mkhitar Grigoryan, Erik Poghosyan, Hrayr Asryan and Edik Hayrapetyan of 'Shahen Meghryan' military unit were posthumously awarded with Medal "For Courage".

Harutyunyan also awarded five members of 'Vladimir Balayan' volunteer unit who as the president put 'broke a promise, risked their life and captured another Syrian mercenary in an operation not-agreed with him.'

Arayik Harutyunyan informed that among awardees were the son of the legendary commander Vladimir Balayan - Aleksey Balayan who received the "Battle Cross" order of the first degree.

Other members of the unit were awarded with the "Battle Cross" order of the second degree, volunteers Armen Baghunts, Artur Mnatsakanyan who is the head of Nerkin Hoghatap community and Harut Khachatryan among them.