Russian peacekeepers evacuate residents of the most dangerous areas of Karabakh

Russian peacekeepers, against the backdrop of escalation in Nagorno-Karabakh, are evacuating civilians from the most dangerous areas of the region, and also providing medical assistance to the victims. About it reported on the website of the Russian Ministry of Defense.

“Russian peacekeepers organized the evacuation of the civilian population of Nagorno-Karabakh from the most dangerous areas and provided medical assistance to the affected citizens,” the message says.

A total of 469 people were evacuated on September 19, including 185 children. Nine wounded were treated.

The command of the Russian peacekeepers calls on the parties to the conflict for an immediate ceasefire and continuation of the negotiation process.

On September 19, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense announced the start of “anti-terrorist measures” in Nagorno-Karabakh to “restorate the constitutional order” of the republic. The department pointed to increased tension in Karabakh due to “systematic shelling” by Armenia, mining of territories, as well as Yerevan’s strengthening of combat positions with personnel and weapons.

Yerevan condemned Baku’s actions and called them “large-scale aggression.” They stated that the armed forces of the republic and military equipment are not stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh. Official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova called on the parties to stop hostilities and return to the path of political and diplomatic settlement.

According to the Ministry of Health of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), five people were killed and another 80 were injured as a result of the fighting. Among the wounded were 15 civilians; details of the dead were not provided. NKR Ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan on the afternoon of September 19 reported that two civilians had died.

Press Secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov, in turn, announced work on coordinating negotiations with Armenia and Azerbaijan; according to him, “high-level contacts” are possible. The basis for returning the conflict to a political and diplomatic channel is the trilateral documents that were signed between Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, he emphasized.