YEREVAN. – At the moment the Armenian side has 18 casualties, nearly 35 soldiers have been wounded, President Serzh Sargsyan said during an extraordinary meeting of the National Security Council.

The Azerbaijani side sustained considerable losses, he said.

Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan reported about the provocative actions of the Azerbaijani side. Head of staff of the Armenian Armed Forces Yuri Khchaturov and Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan delivered reports.

The armed forces of Azerbaijan started provocative actions on the entire length of the line of contact with Nagorno Karabakh at night, the Armenian leader said, adding that this is the largest action since the establishment of the regime of ceasefire in 1994.

 “With  timely and skillful actions of the NKR Defense Army, the situation was brought under control, moreover – the adversary suffered significant losses. At the same time, the opponent used the air force, all kinds of artillery and armored vehicles. The enemy's losses, in terms of both the air force and armored vehicles are considerable. We also have casualties at the moment: 18 victims and about 35 wounded,” he added.

President recalled that he had visited the United States to attend the Nuclear Security Summit and held a meeting with Vice-President Biden and Secretary of State Kerry.

“I have urged them to warn Azerbaijan against violating the ceasefire, but as you see, just a few hours after the meeting there are developments, the outcome of which is still unknown. Provocations continue in the north and south, there is some tension, but, as I said, NKR armed forces control the situation,” Sargsyan assured.