Putin issues ‘Ukrainian scenario’ warning as Russia ramps up pressure on Armenia before elections

Armenia’s parliamentary elections are scheduled for this Sunday, June 7. Russia has repeatedly criticized incumbent Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for what the Kremlin views as Yerevan’s pro-Western turn. Armenia has deepened its cooperation with the European Union and the United States since Russia declined to come to its defense in the war with Azerbaijan. Moscow is now demanding that a pro-Russian businessman, Samvel Karapetyan, who is under house arrest, be allowed to run in the elections. Kremlin-linked bot networks have launched a sprawling disinformation campaign targeting Armenia and Pashinyan. According to Reuters, the Kremlin discussed a plan to send 100,000 Armenians living in Russia to Yerevan to vote against Pashinyan. Here is a brief look at the other ways Russia has been stepping up pressure on Armenia ahead of the vote.