Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on measures to maintain peace in Nagorno-Karabakh, according to which up to 1,960 Russian peacekeepers will be sent to the region, with the rotation of the contingent taking place at least twice a year.

According to the decree, “a military formation of the RF Armed Forces of up to 1,960 servicemen for a period of five years with automatic extension of its stay for subsequent five-year periods” will be sent to Nagorno-Karabakh, if six months before the expiration of the corresponding five-year period Azerbaijan and Armenia will not declare its intention to stop observing the agreements reached. The peacekeeping contingent will be deployed in the zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, along the line of contact in Nagorno-Karabakh and along the Lachin corridor.

At the same time, the President instructed the Ministry of Defense to rotate the personnel of the peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh at least twice a year, and replace military equipment as the resource develops and is technically necessary.

Putin also instructed the government to provide funding for the costs associated with the implementation of peacekeepers of their activities, providing for the material support of military personnel and payment of monetary allowances, including the provision of additional guarantees and compensation, including members of their families.