Moscow, OSCE Minsk Group consult on Karabakh escalation: KremlinApril 2, 2016 - 14:54 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Moscow has started consultations with the OSCE Minsk Group mediators on the escalation in Nagorno Karabakh, a Kremlin spokesperson said, according to RIA. “We closely follow the development of the situation,” Maria Zakharova said. Also, the spokeswoman called for restraint on the contact line. The MG Co-chairs will meet in Vienna next week to discuss escalation in the Karabakh conflict zone. On the night of April 1-2, Azerbaijani armed forces initiated overt offensive operations in the southern, southeastern and northeastern directions of the line of contact with Nagorno Karabakh, using artillery, armored fighting vehicles and air force equipment among other weapons. Aside from the battles on the frontline, the rival has also carried out artillery strikes on civilian settlements and places of permanent deployment of several military units. On April 2, at around 8:30 am, the rival used BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher in the Martuni direction of the contact line. 12-year-old Vaghinak Grigoryan was killed in the shelling, two more children were wounded. Earleir, the Nagorno Karabakh special forces identified an Azerbaijani subversive group near the Levonarkh settlement and threw the saboterus back to their positions. According to Armenia’s Defense Ministry, the rival troops retreated after suffering several human losses. Military operations are currently underway. Read also:Azerbaijan used Grad rocket launcher to bomb Karabakh school: hospital Karabakh destroys one more Azeri helicopter, three tanks, two UAVs Top stories The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. London’s Armenian community has been left feeling “under attack” after the city’s Genocide monument was vandalised. The United States believes there should be an international mission to provide transparency. Partner news | Armenia: Opposition activist transferred to Investigative Committee Activist Samvel Vardanyan has been accused of insulting the lawmaker Hakob Aslanyan from the ruling Civil Contract party. Russia confirms start of withdrawal of peacekeepers from Karabakh The Kremlin has confirmed reports about the start of the withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping forces in Karabakh. France recalls its ambassador to Azerbaijan France on April 16 said it had recalled for consultations the French ambassador to Azerbaijan. Protesters rally as Georgia debates 'foreign agent' bill Georgian critics label the bill "the Russian law", comparing it to legislation used by the Kremlin to crack down on dissent. |