Russia doesn’t accuse Turkey of Karabakh escalation: LavrovApril 4, 2016 - 14:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Moscow does not accuse Ankara of escalation in Nagorno Karabakh, Russian Foreign Minister said Monday, April 4. “We do not blame any external players, including Turkey, for provoking the current outbreak of tensions,” TASS cited Sergey Lavrov as saying. "We, however, have noticed attempts (to disrupt the peace process) by those who are not satisfied with the basic approaches to the Nagorno Karabakh settlement,” Lavrov said. “I can’t pass judgement on the role that Turkey did or did not play, or continues playing with regard to Nagorno Karabakh. But Ankara had better focus on ending support for terrorism," the official said. Commenting on Karabakh, the Minister ruled out military solution to the conflict. 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. As many as 18 Karabakh servicemen were killed and 35-40 were wounded in the course of military operations. A civilian, 11-year-old Vaghinak Grigoryan was also killed, with 6 other civilians, including two kids, wounded, Besides, three elderly Armenians were brutally killed in Talish. As of April 4, the Azerbaijani side has lost 20 tanks and over 5 armored vehicles, including an IFV, as well as 1 TOS-1A Solntsepyok multiple rocket launcher, 2 military helicopters and 6 unmanned aerial vehicles. One Karabakh tank has been destroyed so far. Read also:Artsakh recognition by int’l community most appropriate step now: FM Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |