Investigative journalists at BuroMedia have uncovered exclusive documents revealing that Azerbaijan utilized Belarusian-made weapons against Armenian forces during the 2020 Artsakh war. Anti-aircraft missile systems were reportedly employed to target drones amid intense combat..

The documents and over 200 gigabytes of emails from the Belarusian arms manufacturer Tetraedr, reveal how Belarusian weapons were funneled to Azerbaijan through an offshore company linked to influential businessmen, raising concerns among experts about potential corruption and illicit arms trade.

From an Armenian perspective, this arms transfer demonstrated how Azerbaijan strengthened its military capacity with foreign support while Armenian forces faced direct threats. It also underscores Armenia’s need for a strong defense planning and international advocacy to prevent the use of unregulated weapons in future conflicts.

While previous reports did acknowledge Belarusian weapons in the conflict zone, these documents reveal for the first time how they reached the frontlines and were actively used against Armenian forces, raising questions about the role of post-Soviet military alliances in escalating regional conflicts.

This leak will deepen mistrust between nations in an already volatile region, as both Armenia and Belarus are members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). The fact that a supposed ally secretly armed Azerbaijan, which used these weapons against Armenian forces, shows the fragile and unreliable nature of Armenia’s security within the CSTO framework.

Therefore, the BuroMedia investigation underscores the persistent threat posed by foreign-supplied weapons and the urgent need for stronger international oversight. It also illustrates how Armenia cannot rely solely on nominal alliances for its protection, and how Armenia’s government must take a more proactive role in international diplomacy. Addressing these concealed arms transfers is essential to ensure regional stability and safeguard Armenian security.

Source: Торговцы смертью” by BuroMedia, August 26, 2025. Available at https://buromedia.io/ru/investigations/torgovcy-smertyu