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Today, May 19, marks the birthday anniversary of Benyamin Yeghoyan, who heroically fell while defending the Artsakh borders during the 2016 April War. The fallen soldier would have turned 28 today.

Benyamin Yeghoyan, nicknamed Monte, lost his life on April 3. He was a career officer who had earned the rank of the senior lieutenant. He was one of the soldiers involved in the counterattack with his tank aimed at retaking a military post captured by Azerbaijan together with tankers Vladimir Alikhanyan and Tigran Abgaryan.

The tankers crossed the fire bumper under heavy fire in multiple directions and moved towards the attacking enemy, destroying three of its eight tanks and significant manpower. They were killed when their tank was targeted by Azerbaijani fire on the way back.

Albert Hovhannisyan, who served with Benyamin Yeghoyan, had told Panorama.am in an interview about the heroic deeds of the three servicemen, stating Benyamin inspired all soldiers during the 2016 war.

“Monte constantly wanted to go ahead. Upon receiving the order, he took an immediate action. After destroying an Azerbaijani tank and a military vehicle, they came back from the frontline. He was so excited. The next day Monte again went back to the same post. At first, he intended to fire, but then changed his mind. The adversary had installed its flag at that position. The tankers drove forward, levelled the flag to the ground and came back. When asked why he did not open fire, he said that there was a crosstone near that position and he feared to damage it. He was a very courageous and patriotic man and I am proud to have known him and to have had a chance to interact with him,” Albert said.

The next morning Monte, together with his staff, moved forward again. Albert also rememberd the last time he spoke to the officer.

“It was on April 3, I had no cigarettes. I asked Beno for them. He was standing over the tank. He handed me over a cigarette, and at the moment, I simply felt like saying, ‘Be careful!’ He hugged me and said, 'Whatever is destined to happen will happen. If today is my last day, nothing can be done about it.' He had the feeling. After leaving for the positions, Beno bid farewell to everyone. Later, their tank was destroyed,” he said.