“We expect both sides to respect strictly the ceasefire, refrain from the use of force and resume efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.”

The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Ambassadors Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, James Warlick of the United States of America, and Pierre Andrieu of France) express grave concern over the reported large-scale ceasefire violations that are taking place along the Line of Contact in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone.

“We stand side by side with Karabakh, its fearless army, people and the state in the full sense of the word. Defense of Karabakh independence and its strengthening is the holy duty of each of us. In these days, when Karabakh has been attacked by Azerbaijan, our nation, inside Armenia and abroad, must express their practical support for the defense of Nagorno Karabakh because Karabakh defense is the same thing as Armenia’s defense”.

“I ask not to spread disinformation in this situation. The rumors of large causalities among Armenians, evacuation and mobilization declared in the Republic do not correspond to reality”, Hovhannisyan mentioned.

Panic moods in Azerbaijan cannot be hidden anymore. Azerbaijanis accuse their leadership in social networks in connection with the losses sustained during the actions on the Nagorno Karabakh-Azerbaijan contact line. As “Armenpress” reports, one Azerbaijani social network user wrote that Azerbaijan’s armed forces have lost 100 soldiers in recent clashes.

“The use of heavy weapons and helicopters against civilians in the last attacks is a terrible action that caused innocent causalities. The international community cannot allow that. The European Union cannot remain silent”, the MEP said adding that condemnation and isolation of the Azerbaijani leadership is a moral and political responsibility.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the escalation of tension in Nagorno Karabakh with Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers, reports Ria Novosti. Urges were made to stop the use of force in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone.

President Serzh Sargsyan summoned the National Security Council which will take place in the evening of April 2. The agenda is focused on the offensive military actions by Azerbaijan on the Nagorno Karabakh-Azerbaijan contact line, and relevant issues, 168.am was informed by the Department of Public Relations and Mass Media of the Presidential Administration.

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu had a telephone conversation with his Armenian counterpart Seyran Ohanyan, Spokesperson for the Defense Ministry of Armenia Artsrun Hovhannisyan informed “Armenpress”.

The Press service of the Russian Defense Ministry has also issued a statement that Sergey Shoygu had a telephone conversation with the Defense Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan. It is mentioned that according to the information coming to the Russian Defense Ministry, tension has been recorded in the conflict zone of Nagorno Karabakh overnight April 2.

Scores of veterans and young people gathered in front of the Artsakh Union of Freedom Fighters building in the early morning of April 2, requesting to immediately head to the frontline. In an interview with “Artsakhpress”, representative of the Union Alvaro Shekyan said that hundreds of volunteer fighters have already registered to leave to the frontline now.