Urgent: Enemy Suffers At Least 5 Fatalities; One Injured on Armenian Side – Defense Army Statement

The Press Service of the Artsakh Defense Army has issued a statement reporting that, on March 24, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, in gross violation of the requirements of the trilateral statement dated November 10, 2020, invaded the Republic of Artsakh’s territory under the responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, seizing control of the village of Parukh in the Askeran region and surrounding positions. They then attempted to make advances in the eastern border zone of the Republic of Artsakh.

Hours of negotiations between the Russian peacekeeping contingent and the relevant authorities of Artsakh did not yield significant results, and the enemy did not return to previous positions. Furthermore, Azerbaijani units opened fire on the positions of the Defense Army on the night of March 25, employing various calibers of small arms as well as strike drones.

As a result of the ensuing exchange of fire, at least 5 servicemen from the enemy side have been killed. There is one injured on the Armenian side. As of 09:00, the situation remains relatively stable. We expect that Russian peacekeepers will take measures to return Azerbaijani units to their original positions.