Day of Chemical Troops of Armenia (10/10)

On October 10, 1992, the formation of chemical troops of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia was completed. And since 1996, every year on October 10, Armenia celebrates Chemical Troops Day.

The main purpose of chemical troops is to organize the protection of the population and rear facilities from chemical danger both in peacetime and in wartime. In addition to tasks related to chemical control, elimination of the consequences of accidents and destruction at chemically hazardous facilities, units now have new tasks to eliminate the consequences of environmental disasters.

Modern chemical troops of Armenia were formed on the basis of Soviet troops, which remained after the collapse of the USSR and Armenia’s declaration of independence. In March 1993, Armenia signed the Chemical Weapons Convention, which provides for the final elimination of chemical weapons.

The Armenian chemical troops maintain strong ties with the Russian Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense Forces: special classes of the radiation, chemical and biological (RCB) protection unit of the Russian military base in Armenia are held at the Kamkhud and Alagyaz training complexes.

Among the soldiers of the chemical troops awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union in 1941—1945, there are also representatives of Armenia. One of them is — Sergeant I.K. Shaumyan. He was born on October 15, 1910 in the Martuni region of Nagorno-Karabakh. He fought near Smolensk and Vyazma and took part in the Battle of Kursk in 1943. For the courage and heroism shown in the battles of I.K. Shaumyan was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union and awarded the Order of Lenin.

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