YEREVAN. - No strategic position has been surrendered to the adversary, Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan told Public Television of Armenia.

In his words, the certain movement both from the Azerbaijani and Armenian side has been towards the unprotected positions, which have no essential significance for Armenia, while most of the positions have been re-occupied.

According to the Minister, since 2014 Azerbaijan has started escalating the tension, also using Turkey-made weaponry to shell not only the positions, but also civilian objects. 

Referring to the use of modern and heavy weaponry, the Minster noted that they were used by the adversary during the last stage, when their diversion attempts had failed.  “Having gone into hysterics, they tried to use those weapons to show that they have force and at the same time go for ceasefire,” Ohanyan said, noting that the Chief of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff addressed them, saying that the adversary had proposed a ceasefire. 

The Minister also noted that the adversary’s consistent weapon acquisition has been in the center of their attention. “It’s known that they have a quantitative and technical privilege. We knew about the weapons they used. Nevertheless, the significant part of our victims fell not because of those weapons, but as a result of fighting on the frontline till the last bullet,” Ohanyan stressed, adding that this is a military expression and doesn’t mean that the soldiers didn’t have bullets.

Responding to the query as to whether Armenia currently needs additional weapons, Ohanyan said: “Weapon acquisition is a continuous process. We have already moved to its second stage. We periodically inform of this process”.

The Armenian Defense Minster also noted that they have discussed the lessons learnt from the war and have concluded that the development plan of military forces corresponds to the situation, although certain changes will be made. There are certain gaps, which will by all means be worked on, he added.