”This decision was taken following the statement of the Presidents of the French Republic, the Russian Federation and the United States of America, representing the Co-chair countries of the OSCE Minsk Group, of 1 October 2020, the Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group of 5 October, and in line with Moscow Statement of 10 October 2020’’.
This is a tragedy of epic proportions that unfolds before the eyes of the world, while efforts to halt the violence diplomatically are encountering Azerbaijani-Turkish intransigence and bellicose rhetoric. The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship, and chiefly Russia, are currently attempting to revive the mediation efforts, meanwhile the protection of civilian populations and their humanitarian needs remain largely unsolved. Nagorno Karabakh is becoming the ‘black hole’ of humanitarian protection in Europe.
Defence Ministry Air Force Air Base, Helicopter Air Squadron:
The Azerbaijani armed forces have launched a missile bombardment attack at Stepanakert City from dawn October 17, Artsakh’s Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) Artak Beglaryan said.
The “relatively stable tension” remained at the Artsakh-Azerbaijan conflict zone overnight October 16-17 and no significant changes in the tactical situation happened, the Ministry of Defense of Artsakh said.
A total of 34 civilians have been killed in Artsakh from the Azerbaijani attacks, Ombudsman of Artsakh Artak Beglaryan said on Twitter.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has discussed the Nagorno Karabakh conflict with the permanent members of the Security Council, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, RIA Novosti reports.
Armenia is denying Azeri reports alleging a strike at Ordubad region of Nakhichevan. The Armenian Defense Ministry said the report is disinformation.
The Defense Ministry of Artsakh reported on October 16 that an additional 29 of its troops were killed in action amid the Azerbaijani attacks.
According to the decision of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Ara Ayvazyan has been appointed deputy minister of foreign affairs.