BBC Correspondents Report on the Situation in Artsakh

Amid the escalation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, BBC correspondents have managed to reach Artsakh, where they are monitoring the developments of the martial law.

Their alarm about air raids was triggered while crossing through Lachin. "Azerbaijani forces have been firing towards the bridge here for three days, trying to break the communication between Armenia and Artsakh. Another explosion is heard in the city, the air raid alarm does not cease, and a police vehicle roams the streets urging people to seek shelter quickly," the correspondent writes.

The filming crew found refuge in the semi-basement of one of the city’s shops. Subsequently, the source referred to Shushi: "The ancient city of Shushi is located only 10-15 minutes away from Stepanakert. It is on a mountain, which is why it is rarely shelled. Shushi offers a wonderful view of the capital of Artsakh. During approximately two hours of filming, the city was not bombarded, but every morning and night, Stepanakert is shelled, reportedly with increasing intensity according to other journalists." Refugees have mentioned that they hardly leave their basements.

"Sometimes, when it is calm, we go outside; when there is an air raid alarm, we go down into the basement. Today, there have been several alarms, and we have hardly been outside all day," one of the women recounted.