Will the Russian Peacekeeping Mission Withdraw from Artsakh by November 1?

Information is circulating on the internet and some Telegram channels that the Russian peacekeeping mission will completely withdraw from Artsakh by November 1, 2023. To verify this information, Auroranews attempted to contact the Russian embassy in Armenia.

Our calls went unanswered. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia told us that we should direct our inquiry to the Russian side, following their protocols and using the contact methods they provided. The Armenian government also did not respond to our calls.

It is worth reminding that following the 44-day war in Artsakh, a joint statement was made by the Prime Minister of Armenia, the President of Azerbaijan, and the President of Russia on November 9. The statement noted that a Russian peacekeeping contingent would be stationed along the contact line in Artsakh and along the Lachin corridor. According to the joint statement from November 9, the peacekeeping forces are deployed in Artsakh for a period of 5 years.

The term will automatically extend for another 5-year term unless any party announces its intention to discontinue this provision 6 months prior to the expiration of the specified term. Just yesterday, Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the terms of the deployment of Russian peacekeepers in Artsakh and other related issues will be determined in coordination with their Azerbaijani counterparts.