April 24 marks another anniversary of the Armenian Genocide committed in the Ottoman Empire. In Russia, the Armenian Genocide has always been perceived as a personal pain and misfortune. Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), stated this at Thursday’s press briefing.

“According to historical evidence, in 1915, the Caucasian Army of the Russian Imperial Army, opening the Russian-Turkish border by order of [Russian Emperor] Nicholas II, saved no less than 350 thousand Armenians,” noted the Russian MFA spox.

According to her, Russia was one of the first countries to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide. Also, Zakharova recalled that in 2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his visit to Armenia, participated in the commemoration ceremony for the victims of the Armenian Genocide committed in the Ottoman Empire, and expressed sincere condolences to the Armenian people.

Furthermore, the Russian MFA spox noted that on April 24, events commemorating the Armenian Genocide are held in many Russian cities.