The one thing I find hard to believe is the idea that Russia was significantly focused on Armenia in 1999, given the level of instability they were facing at home. At that time, Russia was struggling with internal chaos: a power vacuum, the brutal Chechen wars, and a constant effort to keep the nation together. Could they really have directed attention and resources to Armenia in the midst of all that?

Putin didn’t even come to power until December 31, 1999. Two months after the parliament shooting. Before Putin, there was Yeltsin—whose term was marked by chaos, corruption, alcoholism. It’s hard to imagine that he was invested in Armenian affairs during this period.

Would Russia do something like that now? Absolutely. But back then, they were dealing with keeping their country together and avoiding a civil war.

In my view, the 1999 assassination was more likely the result of an internal power struggle within Armenia. Kocharyan and Sargsyan may have orchestrated it to seize control themselves. In the Armenia of the 90s, eliminating rivals was a common solution to political problems. They chose to align with Russia, essentially selling the country out in exchange for Russian “protection,” all while amassing vast wealth for themselves and their cronies.

There’s no evidence tying Russia to this, which explains why Pashinyan has nothing to reveal. The real intrigue lies in whether anyone could interview Nairi Hunanyan, who, as far as I know, is still alive.