Russia accuses Azerbaijan of violating ceasefire in Nagorny-Karabakh

Moscow said Azerbaijan carried out four drone strikes in Nagorny Karabakh and called on Azerbaijan to withdraw its troops.

The Russian Defense Ministry stated: “There was a violation of the provisions of the tripartite declaration of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia… The armed forces of Azerbaijan from 24 to 25 March were entered the area of ​​responsibility of the Russian peacekeepers in Nagorny-Karabakh and established a surveillance post”. The ministry also added that Turkish-made drones were used to attack Karabakh soldiers.

In a related move, the self-proclaimed Nagorny Karabakh Republic (NKR) on March 26 declared martial law. The decree was signed and promulgated by NKR President Arayik Harutyunyan. Martial law will restrict freedom of assembly, ban strikes during this period, and stop organizing propaganda activities.

The NKR administration on March 26 asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to increase the number of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorny-Karabakh and military equipment. On March 25, President Putin spoke by phone with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to discuss the situation in Nagorny-Karabakh.
On the side of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of this country on March 26 criticized the statement of the Deputy Spokesperson

The US State Department Jalina Porter was involved in the movement of Azerbaijani troops in the breakaway Nagorny-Karabakh region. Earlier, on March 25, Ms. Porter said that Washington was seriously concerned about the movement of the Azerbaijani army in Nagorny-Karabakh and considered this and other escalation moves as reckless and provocative.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry stressed once again that its troops operate in its sovereign territories.