VIDEO: Armenian Defense Ministry Denies Reports of Azerbaijani Advancement Towards Nerk'in Hand Village

The Armenian Ministry of Defense has denied reports regarding Azerbaijani advancement towards the village of Nerk'in Hand.

"The densely forested and complex area along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, which is located approximately 600 meters deep into Armenian territory according to Soviet-era maps, came under Azerbaijani control last spring. Initial fortification work was undertaken immediately afterward. In particular, trenches were dug, which, however, due to lack of proper equipment, were unsuitable for habitation in winter conditions. For this reason, the majority of Azerbaijani soldiers left the area, as they did not have adequate living conditions to maintain combat duty there during the winter. With changes in weather, they returned and are now placing tents in the area of the trenches they had dug themselves," the ministry stated.

In response to claims that the village has fallen within a monitoring zone, the Ministry of Defense specified that there are two villages with the same name. "Old Nerk'in Hand, which is uninhabited, and the new one, which is about 2 km away from Azerbaijani positions, and moreover, there are several heights in the area, which excludes the observation of the village from Azerbaijani positions," they clarified.