Russia says Azerbaijan enters peacekeepers’ zone in Nagorno-Karabakh, Baku denies it

BAKU, March 26 (Reuters) – Russia’s defence ministry mentioned on Saturday Azeri armed forces had entered a zone policed by Russian peacekeepers within the Nagorno-Karabakh area, in a violation of an settlement, however Azerbaijan challenged these claims.

Russia mentioned it had referred to as on Azerbaijan to drag out its troops, and was “making use of efforts” to maneuver forces to their preliminary positions. It additionally mentioned Azerbaijan had carried out 4 drone strikes in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Azerbaijan’s defence ministry refuted Moscow’s model of occasions and described Russia’s assertion as “one-sided”.

It mentioned that “unlawful” Armenian armed models tried an act of sabotage, however needed to retreat when “fast measures” have been utilized. It reiterated Azerbaijan’s dedication to the “three-way assertion” – a deal it signed with Armenia and Russia in November 2020 to finish the army battle over the Nagorno-Karabakh area after greater than a month of bloodshed.

Azerbaijan emerged because the victor in that battle, having recaptured territory it had misplaced in an earlier conflict between 1991 and 1994.

However many questions stay unresolved, together with the authorized standing of Nagorno-Karabakh and the Armenians who reside there.

Moscow deployed nearly 2,000 peacekeepers to the area after the ceasefire, reaffirming its function as policeman and chief energy dealer in a risky a part of the previous Soviet Union the place Turkey additionally wields growing affect due to its shut alliance with Azerbaijan.

Reporting by Reuters reporters, Nailia Bagirova, Modifying by Christina Fincher

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