Strategic Soft Power: Russia Intensifies Influence Campaign in Armenia Ahead of 2026 Elections

The Kremlin is intensifying its efforts to regain influence in Armenia ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections scheduled for 2026, as reported by the Vedomosti business daily on Wednesday, citing officials and sources privy to the plan.

The initiative is being led by Sergei Kiriyenko, the Kremlin’s chief of domestic policy, and will concentrate on shaping public perceptions and fostering pro-Russian political leaders.

«A source associated with the presidential administration noted that the Armenian leadership is increasingly aligning itself with the West, which contradicts Russian state interests,» Vedomosti reported.

According to another insider, Kiriyenko has been instructed to utilize soft power tactics to promote Moscow’s interests in Yerevan.

Ongoing information campaigns have already begun, with more extensive initiatives anticipated as the elections draw nearer.

Despite the expectation that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will win re-election next year, a source from the presidential administration emphasized that «this situation extends beyond just elections — it’s about ensuring Russia’s continued presence.»

Other than former presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Robert Kocharyan, there are very few, if any, notable pro-Russian politicians in Armenia.

«Currently, there isn’t anyone advocating for Russia there,» the source told Vedomosti.

Three divisions of the presidential administration will oversee the efforts in Armenia: the Domestic Policy Department, led by Andrei Yarin; the Social Processes Monitoring and Analysis Department, managed by Alexander Kharichev; and the Public Projects Department, directed by Sergei Novikov.

Relations between Moscow and Yerevan have been strained since 2023, when Armenia sought support from the Russia-led CSTO alliance amid Azerbaijan’s swift offensive to reclaim Nagorno-Karabakh, with Russia refusing to step in.

In February 2024, Pashinyan declared Armenia would suspend its participation in CSTO. Since then, the Armenian government has moved forward with legislation to initiate the EU membership process.

Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party currently holds a majority in the National Assembly.

Mikhail Vinogradov, president of the Petersburg Politics Foundation, suggested to Vedomosti that Russia might be aiming for a limited but strategic role in Armenian politics.

“Public loyalty to Russia remains higher in Armenia compared to other post-Soviet countries,” he remarked. “However, discontent with Moscow’s inactivity during the last Karabakh conflict may have lasting repercussions.”