A Boeing 737-800 operating a passenger flight from the Armenian city of Gyumri to the Russian capital, Moscow, issued a distress signal more than an hour after takeoff on Monday and began an emergency descent before successfully diverting and landing at Makhachkala Airport, TASS reported.

Flight DP-856, operated by the Russian airline Pobeda, issued the distress signal while flying over Dagestan, more than an hour into the flight. The aircraft then descended to an altitude of 3,000 meters before being diverted to Makhachkala Airport.

The flight took off from Gyumri at around 11:24 Moscow time and was originally scheduled to arrive in Moscow at 14:05 Moscow time (15:05 Yerevan time).

The flight is expected to continue to Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport after a technical inspection, with its arrival at the final destination now estimated at 16:45 Moscow time (17:45 Yerevan time).

The emergency landing of a Pobeda airline plane operating a flight from Gyumri to Moscow was caused by a malfunction of the decompression sensor, according to Russian authorities.

The Boeing 737-800 operating a passenger flight from the Armenian city of Gyumri to the Russian capital, Moscow, issued a distress signal more than an hour after takeoff on Monday and began an emergency descent before successfully diverting to and landing at Makhachkala Airport.

The Russian Investigative Committee said it is investigating the incident.

It said that all 186 people on board are safe and no one was injured.

The passengers will be flown to Moscow on another plane, while the aircraft involved in the emergency landing is undergoing technical inspection.

A meeting of the Interagency Commission on Free Economic Zones was held at Armenia’s Ministry of Economy on June 22, the ministry said in a statement. The meeting was chaired by Armenian Economy Minister and Commission Chairman Gevorg Papoyan. During the meeting, participants reviewed the implementation of instructions issued at the commission’s previous session. In particular, discussions focused on the results of free economic zones’ operations in 2025, based on reports and declarations submitted by the zones’ organizers and operators. The participants also discussed issues related to the current state of the Meghri Free Economic Zone, as well as future measures aimed at the development of Armenia’s free economic zones. At the conclusion of the meeting, relevant decisions were adopted and new instructions were issued.

Armenian Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure David Khudatyan met with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos in Brussels, Armenia’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure said in a statement.

Minister Khudatyan highly praised the European Union’s continued support for Armenia’s reform and development agenda.

The minister highlighted the new momentum in Armenia-EU partnership, including in the field of connectivity.

Marta Kos congratulated the minister on the convincing victory in the National Assembly elections and added that EU support for Armenia would remain ongoing.

For his part, Khudatyan emphasized Armenia’s readiness to further deepen cooperation in the areas of transport, energy and digital connectivity, as well as in the implementation of inclusive connectivity projects.

The meeting also touched upon ongoing projects in the transport and energy sectors.

Other issues of mutual interest were discussed as well.

Telecom Armenia press release 

Telecom Armenia and AzerTelecom companies have signed a bilateral agreement on the reciprocal provision of internet transit, enabling the commercial transmission of transit internet traffic through the territories of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Within the framework of the agreement, Telecom Armenia, as a leading transit operator in the region, expands the geographic reach of international internet traffic supply to additional countries, while providing transit through its own infrastructure toward Azerbaijan.

The agreement is expected to contribute to the diversification of regional connectivity routes, enhance the resilience and reliability of telecommunications networks, and promote broader cooperation within the telecommunications sector across the region.

About Telecom Armenia

Telecom Armenia OJSC (brand name: Team Telecom Armenia) is an Armenian telecommunications company holding a leading position in the country’s telecommunications and information technology sectors. As the successor to Armenia’s first telecommunications network, the company has a heritage of more than 100 years of service in the industry. Team Telecom Armenia provides mobile and fixed broadband internet, digital television, mobile and fixed telephony services to both residential and corporate customers.

The company’s mission is to deliver high-quality telecommunications services to all residents of Armenia. To achieve this goal, Team Telecom Armenia continuously modernizes and expands its mobile and fixed networks while launching new international connectivity routes that further enhance the reliability, resilience, and security of internet services in Armenia.

Armenia’s Minister of Economy, Gevorg Papoyan, has signed an order revoking the operating license of the Shangri La casino run by ONIRA CLUB LLC after authorities identified discrepancies between the company’s reported financial data for March 2026 and the actual readings from gaming machine counters obtained during inspections.

Papoyan said in a statement that the casino’s submitted data is distorted and contains false information.

The Shangri La casino, located outside Yerevan near the city of Abovyan, is owned by business magnate and Prosperous Armenia party leader Gagik Tsarukyan.

The order may be appealed in court within two months after it enters into force.

A draft government decision to declare a public overriding interest over 100% of the shares of Electric Networks of Armenia CJSC has been submitted for public discussion on Armenia’s unified platform for the publication of draft legal acts. The draft has been introduced by the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure. According to the explanatory note attached to the draft, electricity distribution networks are strategic infrastructure by nature, and any disruption to their operation could result in large-scale social, economic and security consequences. The document states that in such circumstances, the state has not only the right but also a constitutional obligation to intervene when necessary to protect the public interest. If adopted, the draft decision would declare a public overriding interest over 100% of the shares of Electric Networks of Armenia CJSC. The public consultation period for the draft has been set from June 22 to July 8, 2026.

A draft law proposing amendments to the Law on the Structure and Functioning of the Government has been submitted for public discussion on Armenia’s unified platform for the publication of draft legal acts. The draft has been introduced by the Ministry of Justice. According to the explanatory note, the purpose of the proposed amendments is to improve the legal substance of the oath taken by members of the government. The document states that the revised text would more clearly reflect the values of strengthening statehood, protecting public and state interests, and promoting the development and continuity of the Republic of Armenia. The draft proposes a new wording for Part 2 of Article 4 of the Law on the Structure and Functioning of the Government, adopted on March 23, 2018. Under the proposed revision, newly appointed members of the government would take the following oath: “For the continuity, sovereignty and development of the Republic of Armenia, I swear to conscientiously fulfil my duties as a member of the Government, uphold the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Armenia, serve the public interest, protect the state interest, contribute to the strengthening of the statehood and constitutional order of the Republic of Armenia, and act in the interests of present and future generations.” According to the explanatory note, the proposed amendment is expected to ensure that the oath taken by government members more comprehensively reflects the scope of responsibility associated with assuming office, as well as the fundamental values underlying state authority. The draft law provides that, if adopted, it will enter into force on the day following its official publication.