Rafael Azizian after the war


"The right side of my head is 80 percent titanium.” Rafael Azizyan’s disability status was downgraded, citing that he is able to take care of his own needs. The 25-year-old was seriously injured by an enemy bullet while performing a combat mission.

Boris Stepanyan after the war


Boris Stepanyan is from the village of Togh in Hadrut. The war took away not only Boris' health, but also his home and place. After being seriously wounded, they had to wander from region to region, from hostel to guesthouse, and finally, with the support of a close family member, they organized a fundraiser on the social network "Facebook" and purchased an apartment in the village of Argel in the Kotayk region.

Vardan Vardanyan after the 44-day war


Vardan Vardanyan is a native of Meghri. He was a high school student when he transferred to Yerevan Physics and Mathematics School. He decided to become a soldier later, after graduating from the Faculty of Geography of Yerevan State University. Since October 3, 2020, the artillery officer has been in Ishkhanadzor. In those days, he was preparing for training exercises with soldiers. His first combat shooting was supposed to be. The war forced Vardan and the soldiers serving under his command to participate in combat operations without prior preparation. On the night of October 10 to 11, a multiple shrapnel wound received from a strike by an enemy drone changed the course and path of his life.

Manvel Hakobyan after the 44-day war


Manvel Hakobyan suffered a spinal cord injury in the first days of the 44-day war. At first, he did not realize the complexity of the injury: his life had been saved, his parents and relatives were alive and well. However, long and difficult months of recovery and struggle lay ahead. Manvel is sure that the wheelchair is temporary in his life. “Regardless of what different doctors say, if one in a thousand people walked in my condition, then I will be the second. If no one has walked before, I will be the first,” says Manvel.

Narek Amiryan


Narek Amiryan, a participant in the “Voice of Ukraine” project and a doctor, is a participant in the 44-day war. Before the war, he studied at a medical university and worked as a brigade doctor in the “emergency room”. During the war, Narek and his brigade transported the wounded. On November 6, the medical staff was attacked on the road to Karvachar, as a result of which Narek was also wounded.

Azat Adamyan


After the April War, Azat Adamyan founded the “Bardak” pub in Stepanakert, which soon became a favorite gathering place for young people and tourists from Artsakh. During the 44-day war, he volunteered for the 7th defense unit called “Yeghnikner”, where he was wounded in October. Later, in 2023, when Azerbaijan attacked Artsakh, Azat participated in the defense of Khramort. Now, Azat has reopened the “Bardak” pub in Stepanakert in Yerevan. He also aims to create his own new Artsakh in an abandoned village in Armenia.

Vahagn Samvelyan


Vahagn became known and loved by the public from the TV series “The Last Teacher”, where he played the role of Armen. He was seriously injured as a result of Azerbaijani aggression in Artsakh and spent days in an artificial coma. 21-year-old Vahagn was a conscript, he had been drafted into the army for two months when the war began. Now he is an actor in a drama theater, he still bears the consequences of the war, he can only see with one eye, but he always looks forward, accepting this blow of life.

Hayaser Hayrapetyan


Hayaser Hayrapetyan is from the village of Chartar, Artsakh. He was born in 1992, days after his father's death. After graduating from school, he entered the Fine Arts Department of Artsakh State University, and taught for many years in Chartar and several nearby art schools. He participated in the 44-day war as a volunteer. After the war, he continued to paint, while at the same time, he was transferred to the intelligence service in the "Martuni 3" military unit. On September 19, 2023, he was wounded in the head. After being in a coma for five days, he was taken to Yerevan by resuscitation vehicle. After being wounded, he had trouble speaking, even forgetting to write and read. Hayaser had intended to open a large exhibition in Artsakh, but his paintings and sculptures remained at home. Only a small statuette dedicated to his mother and two paintings with Artsakh landscapes were brought to Armenia.

Poghos Mrjumyan


Poghos Mrjumyan has undergone 12 surgeries, the last one months ago. Poghos, his father, brother, and son-in-law volunteered to participate in the 44-day operation. Poghos was seriously injured by a hailstone on October 2 in Jrakan. Almost his entire body was covered in shrapnel, and his legs were especially damaged. Armenian soldiers were the first to come to his aid, but they later died.

Aram Avetisyan


Aram Avetisyan lost both legs in 44 days. Now he moves around with prostheses. Aram is from the village of Achajur, grew up in a military family, all the men in the family - his father and four brothers - are military. After losing both legs, Aram is trying to live a full life. He and his friends modified and adapted the car for him. He can no longer serve in the military, but he works in a car workshop.

Life after the war: Gevorg Hambardzumyan


23-year-old Gevorg Hambardzumyan, who suffered a severe brain injury, speaks with great difficulty, his hand does not work due to the brain injury, and walking has become difficult. After the war, during the rehabilitation phase, at the suggestion of a friend, he decided to continue training, but not in boxing, but in the field of para-arm wrestling. The former boxer returns to Armenia with laurels. He has more than 10 medals, which he won at the world and European para-arm wrestling championships.

Samvel Safaryan


Samvel Safaryan was wounded three times in one day. Samvel was serving in the military in the village of Shekher, Martuni region of Artsakh, his birthplace, when the war began. The young commander was in positions with 4 snipers under his command. He was wounded for the first time while observing an enemy trench, when Azerbaijani soldiers attacked his trench and threw grenades. At that time, Samvel's right hand was wounded, the second time on the way to the hospital, and the third time in the head.