Current life of former freedom fighter
Ruben Hovsepyan has been on the battlefield ever since the first days of the Artsakh war and has served in the suicide bombers' battalion. He has been injured and undergone operations four times, but has not left the battlefield until the signing of the ceasefire.
"God forbid, but we are still ready to fight for our homeland, if necessary," said the freedom fighter.
The freedom fighter takes pride in his past, but is not able to take care of his family and fulfill his obligations as a father for his children with pride.
"My daughter and I need medical treatment. I don't have a stable job and I do everything I can to earn some money. I receive 65,000 drams pension, but that is only enough for medicine. We barely make ends meet and there is no support from the government," said the freedom fighter.
The disabled family of 6 currently lives in a former hostel that lacks basic communal conditions. The roof and the ceiling are made from wood and have deteriorated from the rain. The house walls have cracks and it is dangerous to live in that building.
"The Ministry of Defense promised to allocate an apartment, but at this rate, we are way behind," said veteran Ruben Hovsepyan.
The only things the freedom fighter has left from the Artsakh war are the medals and certificates, which motivate and inspire his 6-year old grandchild who dreams of becoming a soldier like his grandfather.
