Video: Transfer of 41 Citizens from Russia and Artsakh to Armenia

Today, Russian peacekeepers facilitated the transfer of 41 citizens from Russia and Artsakh to Armenia, marking the first such event since June 14. This information was provided by the Artsakh Information Headquarters.

Russian citizens had long awaited their transfer, while Artsakh citizens included students who have been admitted to universities in Armenia and abroad. According to preliminary arrangements with the peacekeepers, the transfer of students and Russian citizens will continue in the coming days.

It is noted, however, that the Azerbaijani side continues to obstruct the bilateral movement of numerous individuals. Currently, hundreds of citizens are waiting in Armenia for a return to Artsakh; 333 individuals are registered through the Red Cross for transfer to Armenia due to urgent and planned health reasons, not counting the necessity for humanitarian, work-related, and other movements which are required by thousands of individuals.

The Azerbaijani side continues to create humiliating conditions at the illegal checkpoint near the Hakari Bridge, in addition to illegal control and obstacles against Artsakh citizens. In particular, against the will of individuals, Azerbaijani authorities and their invited journalists have once again filmed their faces and used the footage for propaganda purposes.

Additionally, the Azerbaijani side has not allowed the vehicles of the Russian peacekeeping forces to cross the Hakari Bridge, forcing passengers to walk across the bridge with their luggage, after which they continued their journey in vehicles that came from Goris (evidence is available in the attached video).

Since June 15 to the present day, Azerbaijan continues to prohibit the movement of all humanitarian cargo from Armenia to Artsakh, resulting in a deepening humanitarian disaster in Artsakh daily. In the Kornidzor community of Syunik Province, near the entrance to the Lachin Corridor, approximately 400 tons of humanitarian aid sent by the Armenian government for Artsakh has been suspended since July 26.

The crossing of citizens through the Azerbaijani illegal checkpoint does not change the position of the Artsakh Republic government regarding the operation of that checkpoint in the Lachin Corridor and other Azerbaijani obstacles. The government of the Artsakh Republic continues to insist that the uninterrupted and bilateral movement of people, vehicles, and cargo through the Lachin Corridor must be fully restored without any Azerbaijani interference, in accordance with the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, and the orders of the International Court of Justice on February 22 and July 6, 2023.