A soldier was killed in an explosion at a training ground in Armenia.

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A contract soldier was killed and another was injured in an explosion at a training ground in the Armavir Region.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," human rights activists stated in October 2024 that the proportion of non-combat casualties among Armenian military deaths has risen to 90%. They called on the state to pay more attention to the prevention of crimes and suicides in the army.

An explosion occurred at the Armenian Ministry of Defense training ground in the Baghramyan community of the Armavir region, killing a 29-year-old contract soldier, News.am reported on April 3.

A 39-year-old soldier was also injured and hospitalized.

A criminal case has been opened on this incident under Part 3 of Article 550 and Part 3 of Article 532 of the Criminal Code of Armenia (negligence of a military official resulting in the death of a person and violation of the rules for handling weapons resulting in the death of a person), the Public Radio of Armenia reports.

The increase in non-combat casualties among military personnel has repeatedly raised questions for the Armenian authorities. The authorities and the ombudsman must address the issue of peacetime military deaths, the parents of fallen soldiers stated in November 2023.

In February 2022, participants in a discussion in Yerevan stated that the increase in non-combat casualties in military units indicates systemic problems in the Armenian army. At the same time, according to them, the authorities refuse to involve civil society activists in solving the problem.

Two years earlier, in February 2020, human rights activists stated that the principles of a criminal environment and a climate of impunity had taken root in the Armenian armed forces, which contribute to hazing.