Peacekeepers Will Not Be Withdrawn from Artsakh: Statement from the Artsakh Security Council

The Artsakh Security Council has issued a statement detailing ongoing tensions in the region. The announcement reads: 'In recent days, the adversary's aggressive behavior along the Azerbaijan-Artsakh contact line has been demonstrated through gunfire targeting positions of the Artsakh Defense Army located near various settlements. Moreover, the use of mortars has now been added to these armed provocations. We emphasize that the target of these hostile actions violating the ceasefire is the peaceful civilian population, aiming to instill panic.'

'To prevent further developments of these provocations, the Security Council is cooperating with the Russian peacekeeping forces stationed in Artsakh. Urgent measures are being taken to compel the adversary to adhere to the ceasefire agreements. At the same time, the information circulating on Azerbaijani media platforms claiming that the Russian peacekeeping forces are withdrawing part of their troops from Artsakh to be transferred to Ukraine is not true. The Russian peacekeeping forces deployed in Artsakh continue to carry out their mission in accordance with the provisions of the trilateral statement from November 9, 2020.'

'We urge the population to refrain from panic. The situation is fully under control by the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh and the Russian peacekeeping forces.'