War In Nagorno Karabakh Can Start At Any Moment

Russian Military Equipment

A large batch of Russian weapons was delivered to Azerbaijan on June 24. They will be sent to the frontline in the near future...


Armenia concerned over Russia’s selling weapons to Azerbaijan

28 June 2017


A planned delivery of the latest Russian military equipment to Azerbaijan was carried out in accordance with the intergovernmental agreement and within the framework of successfully developing military-technical cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation on June 24. A large batch of modern weapons arrived at the port in Baku, will be sent to the frontline zone in the near future.

Here's some more details about some of the Russian weapons recently delivered to Azerbaijan.


Azerbaijan boosts anti-tank capabilities

28 June 2017


Russia has delivered at least 12 9P157-2 Khrizantema-S vehicle-mounted anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) systems to Azerbaijan and more than 15 systems will be delivered by the end of 2018, Jane's has learned.

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence reported the arms acquisition on 24 June in an official video. The video shows Khrizantema-S systems and munitions being offloaded from Russian ships in a Caspian port close to the Azeri capital, Baku.

NATO

Azerbaijan's defense minister attended a NATO meeting in Belgium on June 29.


Azerbaijan's defense minister attends NATO meeting

30 June 2017


The meeting took place in Belgium on June 29.

The sides exchanged views on Azerbaijan-NATO relations, mutually beneficial cooperation with the Alliance in the defense area and Azerbaijan's contribution to NATO’s Resolute Support Mission. During the meeting, the defense minister informed the NATO deputy secretary general about the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Woman And Child Killed

A young girl and her grandmother was killed when a village was shelled near Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan accuses Armenia of targeting civilians, while Armenia accuses Azerbaijan of deploying weapons near civilians.


BBC: Azerbaijan toddler killed in Nagorno-Karabakh shelling

5 July 2017


A young girl and her grandmother died when Armenian-backed troops shelled a village in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan accused Armenia of targeting civilians. Karabakh officials said they had returned fire, accusing Azerbaijan of deploying weapons near civilians.

The foreign ministry in the Azerbaijan capital Baku said the village had been hit by mortar rounds and heavy grenade launchers.

Nagorno-Karabakh spokesman Senor Hasratyan expressed "pain and regret" at the toddler's death. However, officials accused Azerbaijan of positioning rocket launchers close to villages and said they had to take responsibility.

Reuters: Azeri woman and child killed by rebels near Nagorno-Karabakh boundary - defence ministry

Jul 5, 2017


"Two residents of the village of Alkhanly, including a two-year-old girl, were killed and one was wounded on July 4 as a result of shelling by Armenian forces," Azeri defence ministry spokesman Vagif Dergakhly told a news conference.

Nagorno-Karabakh's self-declared defence ministry said Azeri forces had violated the ceasefire agreement, opened fire first and used anti-tank and other heavy weapons.

TR-107

Karabakh video showing Azerbaijan's use of the TR-107 rocket launcher near the Azerbaijani village of Alghanlu.


The Armenian Weekly: Azerbaijan Suffers Major Losses as Tensions Rise on Line of Contact

July 5, 2017


In the morning of July 5, the Artsakh Defense Ministry published a video showing Azerbaijan’s use of the TR-107 rocket launcher. According to the time schedule fixed on the screen, the Armenian side began firing at 8:31 p.m. on July 4, after several fire-strikes by Azerbaijani forces.

The Ministry also released an audio recording of a conversation between members of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, which they said proves the retaliatory fire targeted the Azerbaijani position. “Azerbaijan habitually deploys its posts inside settlements, turning civilians into human shields,” read a part of the statement, which was released along with the recording.

Azerbaijan: Russia intervened

According to Azerbaijan's defense minister, Russia intervened to stop Azerbaijan's advances in the Four Day War in April 2016.


Azerbaijan: Russia Stopped Us From "Breaking Armenia's Resistance" in 2016

July 14, 2017


Russia intervened to stop Azerbaijan's advances in last year's conflict with Armenia, Azerbaijan's defense minister has said.

While some Russian behind-the-scenes role in stopping the fighting had been known, Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov provided some new details and suggested that Azerbaijan would have made more military advances if not for Moscow's involvement. Hasanov made the comments in an interview with RIA Novosti, his first-ever interview with foreign media.

"They know that if no one intervenes in the situation, they wouldn't last for three days. This is what happened in April 2016. If they hadn't stopped us, the resistance would have been broken. In 40 minutes we ran over the lines of defense that the enemy had been building for many years."

Armenia "already on the second day" of fighting last April appealed to Russia to intervene, Hasanov said. As a result, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu called him, he recalled. "He said 'this business' had to stop, the leadership of the countries were going to talk about it." A similar call was made by the chief of general staff of the Russian armed forces to his Azerbaijani counterpart, Hasanov said.

Assuming this account is true, the intriguing, missing bit of information is why Azerbaijan acceded to Russia's requests to stop its offensive.

One area of leverage that Russia enjoys over Azerbaijan is the arms trade, as Baku has been heavily arming itself with largely Russian weaponry.

So things are pretty in flux, making it hard to guess how Russia might act next time there's a flareup over Karabakh.

Russian As Official Language

Moscow have suggested that Armenia should adopt Russian as an official language, in the spirit of Armenian-Russian brotherhood. Armenia said they weren't interested.


Moscow Suggests Armenia Adopt Russian As Official Language

July 18, 2017


Russian officials have suggested that it might be a good idea for Armenia to adopt Russian as an official language. While the proposal was made in the spirit of eternal Armenian-Russian brotherhood, it was nevertheless received coolly in Yerevan.

Officials in Armenia -- where, it should be noted, the prevalence of Russian is far greater than in its neighbors Georgia and Azerbaijan -- said they appreciated the suggestion, but weren't interested.

"For us Russian is a language of global significance, but it's not and it will not be on our agenda to give it the status of an official language and enshrine it in the constitution."

The Russian language is taught in all schools in Armenia, so the knowledge of Russian is entirely sufficient.

"Moscow will force the Armenian authorities to give the Russian language some sort of status," wrote Sargis Artsruni on 1in.am. "This is a brazen attack that must be neutralized, and even intelligently counterattacked -- on the theme of Russian arms sales to Azerbaijan," he wrote, referring to one of the largest bones of Armenian contention -- massive sales of Russian weaponry to Baku, Armenia's foe.

More Russian Weapons

Armenia might be interested in receiving another loan from Russia, to buy more Russian weapons at discount prices.


Armenia Looks to Buy More Russian Arms

July 17, 2017


According to Armenia’s Finance Minister Vardan Aramyan, Armenia is discussing the possibility of receiving another loan, which would be spent on buying Russian weapons, reported RFE/RL’s Armenian service.

Two years ago, Russia lent Armenia $200 million for arms acquisitions from Russian manufacturers. The Russian government then publicized a list of items Armenia is allowed to purchase with the money.

He confirmed that the arms supplies financed from the loan are carried out at internal Russian prices that are set well below the international market prices. These discounts are available for Armenia due to its military alliance with Russia.

The close alliance has not prevented Russia from also selling billions of dollars worth of weapons to Azerbaijan in recent years, though.

When asked if he would reconsider Armenia’s relationship with Russia and decrease cooperation, Sarkisian said that is a path which could be “extremely dangerous” for Armenia.

Israeli Kamikaze Drones

No more Israeli kamikaze drones to Azerbaijan, as the Israeli Defense Ministry has suspended the export license.


Israeli Kamikaze Drone Export to Azerbaijan Halted After Live Demo in Karabakh

30.08.2017


The Israeli Defense Ministry has suspended the export license of Aeronautics Defense Systems Ltd (ADS), following a newspaper report that the Israeli company had tried to test one of its weapons systems on an Armenian military position at the request of Israel’s defense partner, Azerbaijan.

The decision to suspend ADS’s export license came after reports earlier this month that ADS members, who demonstrated the Aeronautics Defense Orbiter 1K drone in Baku, had been asked by their Azeri hosts to use it to deliver an explosive payload on an Armenian military position in Azerbaijan’s breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, The Jerusalem Post said.

After the ADS specialists operating the drone refused to use it against the Armenian position, their senior colleagues took over, operating the drone themselves.

Even though they missed the target during the demonstration on July 7, two Armenian soldiers were slightly wounded in the strike, the Jerusalem Post reported, citing Col. Armen Gyozalian, the commander of an army unit stationed in northeastern Nagorno-Karabakh.

As a result of the suspension, the Israeli firm will lose around $20 million in the next two years as it is prevented from continuing exports to Azerbaijan, the newspaper wrote.

Armenia & NATO

Armenia participates in NATO military exercises.


Armenia flirts with NATO

3 Sep


Georgia-NATO military exercises Agile Spirit 2017 will held at the Orfolo range and the armor center in Samtskhe-Javakheti from September 3 to 11. These exercises are designed to improve interaction of the United States, Georgia, Bulgaria, Latvia, Romania, Ukraine and Armenia and prepare the participants for joint operations within NATO operative forces.

Armenia publication 1in.am wrotes in its article "Armenia deepens cooperation with NATO: how will Moscow react."

Armenia & NATO - 2

Armenia Drops Out of NATO Exercises. Azerbaijan is participating instead.


At Last Minute, Armenia Drops Out of NATO Exercises in Georgia

1h ago


At the last minute and with no explanation, Armenia has dropped out of NATO military exercises in Georgia, after taking part in several other drills with the Western alliance this summer.

Georgia's Ministry of Defense announced just before the start of the exercise, on September 3, that Armenia had decided not to go.

Armenian officials, asked about the unexpected dropout, didn't do much to dispel the impression that it was the result of Russian pressure.

"This is a sovereign decision of Armenia," said Eduard Sharmazanov, the vice speaker of Armenia's parliament, on September 4. "Armenia never said it was going to be a member of NATO even in the distant future, never said it was going to leave the [Russia-led security bloc Collective Security Treaty Organization]. Armenia has always said that it sees no alternative to the CSTO."

Adding to the intrigue, Azerbaijan is participating in Agile Spirit, after itself dropping out unexpectedly from two other NATO exercises earlier this summer.

Russian gas to Armenia

Delivery of Russian gas to Armenia resumed after being halted for 30 days because of construction work.


Delivery of Russian gas to Armenia resumed

1h ago


Shipment of Russian natural gas to Armenia through Georgia that was halted from August 3 for 30 calendar days because of construction work on the major pipeline pumping gas from Russia to the South Caucasus, was resumed on September 2, Armenia’s national gas distribution company Gazprom Armenia said today.

Genocide...LOL!

Daughter of Azerbaijani president taking selfies during father's speech to UN...


Genocide...LOL! Daughter of Azerbaijani president sparks fury after she is filmed taking SELFIES during father's speech to UN about alleged war crimes

22 September 2017


President Ilham Aliyev was delivering a major speech to world leaders in New York, in which he solemnly discussed the bloody Nagorno-Karabakh War of 1992.

But his 33-year-old daughter Leyla Aliyeva - who was sat in the audience - seemed more concerned with pulling absurd faces as she pointed her smartphone at herself.

While her father talked of savage conflicts with neighbouring state Armenia, Leyla was filmed pulling shocked and surprised faces for her selfies.

To add to the president's embarrassment, her efforts were live-streamed all around the world from the General Assembly.

Azerbaijan and Armenia used to be friends.


Neither War Nor Peace Reigns in Nagorno-Karabakh

October 05, 2017


Lida Sargsyan, an 82-year old ethnic Armenian, remembers a time when Azeris and Armenians lived side by side.

"We used to live normally together," she recalled, standing on a dry patch of land where pigs and cows loll in the sun. "The Azeris were living in our houses, we were living in their houses."

But that was decades ago, when the region was brought together under the Soviet Union — before war erupted in 1991.

There are fears that the neighbors are now closer to war over the enclave than at any time since the cease-fire.

In the minefields of Karegah, a small village led by a female mayor, a handful of women manually remove land mines from the ground — one of the few well-paid jobs around.

Turks who visited Nagorno Karabakh on September 22 are now scared to leave the country.


Turks who visited Karabakh are now scared to leave the country

October 7, 2017


Politician Ufuk Uras, who visited Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) as part of a delegation from Turkey, said he and other members of the delegation are now afraid of going abroad because of the measures taken by Azerbaijan against them.

The Turkish delegation met lawmakers of the Karabakh parliament in Stepanakert on September 22.

According to Uras, the Turkish foreign ministry has sided with Baku.

Belarusian Polonezes

Is Lukashenko selling Polonez multiple launch rocket systems to Azerbaijan?


“Our response to Iskander”: Baku wants to buy Belarusian Polonezes

October 23rd, 2017


Azerbaijani experts and mass media are actively discussing the rumors that Baku is planning to buy Polonez multiple launch rocket systems from Belarus.

Haqqin.az quotes the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) as saying that Azerbaijan has already bought the systems and has even prepaid for them.

But there is no such news on SIPRI’s website.

Azerbaijan is trying to find an appropriate answer to Armenia, who has bought Iskander missile systems from Russia.

It is much better than all of its Russian analogues. It can shoot as far as 200 kilometers, while Russian Smerch can shoot just 90 kilometers long. The only Belarusian thing that system has is its chassis. All the rest is made in China. Some Belarusian experts say that not only Chia but also Ukraine helped Belarus to organize own production of Polonezes. The system can hit both multipoint and pinpoint targets.

The sale of such a powerful weapon to Azerbaijan will certainly upset both Armenia and Russia as formally, Belarus is Armenia’s ally in the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Eurasian Economic Union. And even though Lukashenko is not going to apologize to anybody for his friendship with Azerbaijan, he will still have to account for his decision as it may certainly break the balance of forces in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone.

Movements

According to Karabakh MOD, Azerbaijan violates the ceasefire more intensively, and there are movements of soldiers and military equipment at various sections of the contact line.


Karabakh MOD: Azerbaijan violates ceasefire more intensively

From 2:25 p.m., April 21, the adversary intensively violated the ceasefire along the Line of Contact using different caliber weapons. In addition to violating the ceasefire regime, active movements of the adversary's manpower and military equipment are seen at various sections of the contact line, in particular, in the east and south-east.

Video

Karabakh army has released a video showing accumulation of troops at the line of contact.


Karabakh army releases video showing accumulation of troops at line of contact

22.04.2018


Azerbaijani MOD said yesterday’s statement about tension at the line of contact that was issued by Karabakh Defense Army was false and targeted at distracting public attention from unrest in Armenia.

In fact, as to the accumulation and movement of adversary’s manpower and equipment on the contact line between the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and Azerbaijan, we suggest watching the video without comments,” the Karabakh army said.

Another video

Karabakh MOD has released another video of Azeri Troop Buildup. OSCE Minsk Group call to respect ceasefire.


Artsakh Defense Ministry Releases New Footage of Azeri Troop Buildup

10 hours ago


The Artsakh Defense Ministry on Monday released new video footage of Azerbaijani troop buildup along the Artsakh-Azerbaijan border, known as the line of contact.

The video shows mobilization and movement of Azerbaijani troops and military equipment at different sections of the border on Monday between 1:30 to 6 p.m. local time.

“In light of recent political developments in the region and the possibility of escalation along the Line of Contact, the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, (Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Stephane Visconti of France, and Andrew Schofer of the United States of America) underscore the critical importance of the sides respecting the ceasefire at this delicate time and, in particular, keeping heavy equipment positioned in the rear of the frontlines,” said the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairmen.

Yet another video

I've just found this video on The NKR Army Channel on Youtube. It was uploaded 21 hours ago.

a reply to: Hellmutt

Thanks for keeping us updated Hellmutt on this (over here in the UK) unreported and forgotten conflict. Don't know why our media totally ignores it, while they have an obsession with Syria. You really have done a great job over the years highlighting what is going on in that corner of the world.