Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh will maintain the cessation of all hostilities and the ceasefire. The statement came from Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Russian president, RIA Novosti reported.

"It’s security. The ceasefire was agreed upon by the conflicting parties. Peacekeepers are called to deal with and maintain the ceasefire," he told reporters when asked what the mandate of a peacekeeping contingent to cease hostilities meant.

Peskov added that the peacekeepers are armed in accordance with the agreements reached.