Russian peacekeepers killed in Nargono-Karabakh: Russian MoD

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 Sep 2023 20:42
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No specific details have been provided regarding the number of Russian troops killed.

Picture released by the Azeri Ministry of Defense on Sept. 20, 2023, showing smoke rising from an area that was targeted by Azeri forces. (AP)

Moscow announced on Wednesday that Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh lost their lives when the vehicle they were traveling in came under fire.

However, the statement did not provide specific details regarding the number of Russian troops killed, as some reports indicated that the number is two.

"As a result of the shooting, Russian servicemen were killed," Moscow's defense ministry said, adding that the incident took place near the village of Dzhanyatag and that Russian and Azerbaijani investigators are currently working at the scene.

Russian efforts do not go unnoticed

Since the commencement of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh, Russian peacekeepers have successfully evacuated 3,154 individuals, including 1,428 children, to safety, as per the Ministry of Defense.

"Through the mediation of the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached with the parties to the conflict on a complete end of hostilities …Since the beginning of active hostilities, Russian peacekeepers have evacuated civilians from the Martakert, Martuni, and Askeran regions. 3,154 people were evacuated to the peacekeeping contingent, including 1,428 children," the Ministry said in a statement.

⚡️🇷🇺🇦🇲 Russian peacekeepers continue to evacuate civilians from dangerous areas in Artsakh and provide medical assistance to wounded victims following the Azerbaijani attack pic.twitter.com/nXuVwguMiw
— What the media hides. (@narrative_hole) September 20, 2023

As per the statement, Russian peacekeepers have reported no instances of ceasefire breaches since 13:00 local time (09:00 am GMT) on Wednesday.

Additionally, the Ministry highlighted that these peacekeepers are engaged in ongoing communication with Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Nagorno-Karabakh, aiming to prevent further violence and ensure adherence to humanitarian laws.

Earlier today, Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh accepted the terms of a ceasefire proposed by Russian peacekeepers a day after Azerbaijan initiated a military operation aimed at seizing control of the region, resulting in dozens of casualties and hundreds of injuries, as reported by Interfax news agency.

Under this ceasefire agreement, Karabakh Armenian forces will be required to dismantle and remove all heavy weaponry.

"With the mediation of the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh, an agreement was reached on the complete cessation of hostilities from 13:00 on September 20, 2023," the Armenian forces in Karabakh said.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry confirmed it had reached an agreement on a ceasefire with the Karabakh Armenian forces, thus suspending the operation Baku had launched yesterday.

The Ministry said Armenian forces in Karabakh had agreed to "lay down their weapons, abandon combat positions and military posts and completely disarm," and all weapons and heavy equipment were being handed over to the Azerbaijani army.

Following the ceasefire announcement, Karabakh Armenians said they had accepted Baku's proposal for talks to integrate the disputed region into Azerbaijan.