Major General Kirill Kulakov has been named the commander of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh, a move reported by Interfax. The transition places Kulakov at the head of the mission from September 3, marking a shift in leadership for the Russian presence in the region.
Kulakov has held the position of commander at the Kazan Higher Military Command School since March 2017, and his new role places him in charge of the peacekeeping operation that has been in place since the 2020 agreements. He succeeds Alexander Lentsov, who led the mission after being appointed to the post in April 2023.
The recent leadership change comes amid broader regional discussions and statements from leadership in the South Caucasus. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has publicly commented on Russia’s actions and inactions in the region, noting a perception that Moscow is changing its stance in the area. Pashinyan argued that the Lachin corridor, the link between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, should be under the control of Russian peacekeepers, while asserting a degree of autonomy in its management. These remarks were reported by international media and elicited strong reactions in Moscow. (Interfax)
In this evolving context, regional leaders have repeatedly emphasized the importance of peacekeeping arrangements and the mutual recognition of territorial integrity between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The shift in command within the Russian peacekeeping mission is part of ongoing adjustments as the parties navigate security guarantees, border management, and the future status of Nagorno-Karabakh. (Interfax)