Russia has criticized Armenian Security Council Secretary Alen Simonyan over remarks that Armenia was prepared to accept “a new wave of Russian citizens who wish to avoid being sent to the front.”

Axar.az reports, citing the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow had taken note of Simonyan’s interview with the Dozhd television channel.

“We consider Alen Simonyan’s remarks to be provocative,” Zakharova said.

“In essence, they incite Russian citizens to commit unlawful acts and impart a toxic political hue to the time-honoured Armenian tradition of hospitality,” Zakharova said.

She also expressed regret over a continuing tendency among representatives of Armenia’s government to make public statements that undermine bilateral cooperation with Moscow.

Zakharova said Simonyan’s remarks were “yet another indication” of the Armenian authorities’ aspirations “to serve the interests of the West and the Kyiv regime.”

She also noted that Simonyan had spoken positively about strengthening Russian-Armenian ties during a visit to Russia in February 2026.