Armenian News – NEWS.am presents a digest on the situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border:

  • At around 12:30 pm local time Sunday, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces attempted to violate Armenia's state border, in the direction of Tavush Province, and with an UAZ-model vehicle, Shushan Stepanyan, spokesperson for the defense minister, wrote on her Facebook.

After the warning of the Armenian side, the Azerbaijani servicemen returned to their position, leaving the UAZ-model vehicle behind.

At 1:45 pm, the servicemen of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces repeated—using artillery fire—the attempt to seize the border position of the Armenian Armed Forces, but were suppressed by the Armenian side and driven back, suffering casualties. There are no casualties on the Armenian side, she added.

All opponent's attempts are neutralized by units of the Armenian armed forces.

On Monday morning, the opponent resumed provocative actions, continuing to shoot at Armenian positions. The Armenian Armed Forces gave an adequate response.

There are no losses from the Armenian side, however, an Azerbaijani side has already reported four losses from its side.

According to Stepanyan, Armenian Armed Forces do not fire in the direction of Azerbaijani settlements. Only engineering infrastructure and military equipment is being targeted.

The political and military leadership of Azerbaijan will bear all responsibility for the losses of the Azerbaijani side and the consequences of the aggravation of the situation, the Armenian MOD added.

During the last conversation, the Minister of Defense informed that the personnel and command of the Armenian Army are instructed to remain restrained for the time being, 'and in case of provocations of the enemy on the borders of the Republic of Armenia, react as necessary, up to the capture of new advantageous positions.'

According to him, the actions of the armed forces of Azerbaijan deserve the most severe condemnation.

"Instead of calling on their people to comply with the rules of epidemiological safety, the Azerbaijani leadership advocates military rhetoric and calls for war, as if Armenianophobia is the best way to combat COVID-19," he noted.

"Very concerned about an exchange of fire on Armenia-Azerbaijan border. Important for both countries to show restraint and to use all channels of communication, both direct and the good offices of the #OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs," he tweeted.

Russian MFA, in turn, expressed serious concern about the sharp aggravation of the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and is ready to provide the necessary assistance to stabilize the situation.

Armenian FM Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, in turn, held phone talks with Zas, Armenian MFA spokeswoman Anna Naghdalyan wrote on her Facebook.

"Minister Mnatsakanyan provided the CSTO Secretary General with detailed information on the ceasefire violations committed by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in the direction of the Tavush province since July 12, the resumption of these operations on the morning of July 13, as well as the consequences of further aggravation of the situation," she noted.

  • [UPDATE] 

The Azerbaijani side regularly intensifies the situation on the border, said Armenian MOD spokeswoman Shushan Stepanyan.

"At this moment the shelling and the frequency of use UAV strikes have decreased. The RA Armed Forces are fully controlling the situation. The Armenian side has no losses," she wrote on her Facebook.