Azerbaijan launches airstrikes against Karabakh units, violating truce

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The Azerbaijani army has entered the zone of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping mission in Nagorno-Karabakh, launching 4 airstrikes on the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations using a Bayraktar TB2 drone near Furukh, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. 

"From March 24 to 25, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan, violating the provisions of the trilateral statement of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia of November 9, 2020, entered the zone of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh and set up an observation post. Four strikes were carried out with an unmanned aerial vehicle Bayraktar TB2 against Nagorno-Karabakh’s armed formations outside Furukh," the statement says.

The Russian peacekeeping mission in Karabakh is working to resolve the escalation, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. 

"The command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent is currently taking measures to resolve the situation and get the troops to retreat to their initial positions. Azerbaijan has been sent a call to withdraw troops," the statement said.

Putin, Aliyev reaffirm commitment to Nagorno-Karabakh agreements

Last month, the Russian and Azerbaijani presidents reaffirmed the importance of committing to all decrees in the Nagorno-Karabakh agreements when Vladimir Putin welcomed Ilham Aliyev in Moscow.

According to Sputnik, the meeting lasted slightly over 4 hours during which negotiations were completed. Among the topics discussed was also the situation in Ukraine.

The Russian President revealed that Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia reaffirmed, "The importance of the full implementation of the trilateral agreements reached at the highest level."

He added that Russia would continue to assist in the resolution of any conflicts in the South Caucasus, emphasizing that the delimitation and demarcation of the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia is a top priority.

Putin stated that he and Aliyev committed to working together to restore all commercial and transportation linkages in the area, as well as passenger and freight flow between Azerbaijan and Armenia.