Conditions have not been created yet for the soldiers serving in Syunik Province. Deputy director of the National Security Service (NSS), Aram Hakobyan, stated this at Monday’s parliamentary standing committees’ joint debates on Armenia’s draft state budget for 2022.

According to him, conscripts have been included to ensure the protection of the borders.

"Such a thing has never happened," Hakobyan added.

He did not give a specific number, but said that the number of these soldiers is quite "impressive."

"That is why in 2022,  the NSS spending point in 2022 plans for increase of funds for future purchase of medicine. You know the conditions under which military service is carried out [in Syunik Province]. We do not have conditions yet. New checkpoints are being built there, they will be ready in the near future, after which the conditions will improve, there will be no need for additional expenses. But now they live in shacks and serve in the open," the NSS deputy director admitted.