YEREVAN. – The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Ministry of Defense (NKR/Artsakh MOD) has issued a statement.  

“On the one hand, official Baku leads the situation to an intentional flare [in tension] with its provocative actions, and on the other hand, it rushes to present the developments in the frontline to be a consequence of aggressive actions by the Armenian side.

“It is noteworthy that, to implement this modus operandi of its, the adversary resorts to using the most dastardly and monstrous measures that are in its own arsenal.

“Hiding behind civilians and, as a result, turning these same people into a human shield, the Azerbaijani leadership does its dirty work for days on end.

“Proceeding from the created situation, the NKR Ministry of Defense advises the opposing party to honor the agreement to cease fire, which was reached—at their [i.e. Azerbaijan] request—between the parties, and also warns not to turn peaceful settlements into firing posts, turning them into a strike target. Otherwise, the military and political leadership of Azerbaijan will bear the full responsibility for the consequences,” the NKR MOD statement specifically reads.