Azeri mass media report a grave crime at a military unit claimed seven lives last Sunday. Azeri mass media also reported one soldier was killed and one injured as a result of fire by the Armenian side. The Ministry of Defense of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) refuted the reports. Negligence accounts for the Azeri army`s losses, said David Karapetyan, Spokesman for the NKR Defense Ministry. He believes that official Baku is preparing new provocations by means of media reports on losses in the Azeri army. However, suicides and self-injuries may actually account for the reports on numerous killed and injured soldiers in the Azeri army.

In a number of cases, acts of sabotage may account for the losses.

"Since the Azeri side has made provocations its everyday practice, the numerous reports on Azerbaijan`s losses may be aimed at preparing the grounds for further provocations. On February 20, the Azeri armed forces repeatedly violated the ceasefire, Karapetyan said. He added that the Armenian side is observing the ceasefire.