The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia has issued a statement, which says:

“On 12 December, the units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, having concentrated additional personnel, military equipment, including heavy artillery, in violation of the requirements of the tripartite statement signed on 9 November, launched an attack on the villages of Hin Tagher and Khtsaberd in the Hadrut region of the Artsakh Republic.

As a result of several hours of fighting, the enemy managed to enter the village of Hin Tagher, as well as approach the village of Khtsaberd.

As a result of the resumption of hostilities as a result of the Azeri provocation, the Armenian side has six wounded, the enemy has wounded and casualties.

The RA Ministry of Defense strongly condemns the provocation by the Azerbaijani armed forces. The current situation, which has nothing to do with the key demand of the statement signed by the Leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan, the cessation of hostilities, endangers the fragile peace achieved through the direct efforts of the Russian President.

The actions of the Azerbaijani side immediately became a subject of discussion with the leadership of the Russian peacekeeping contingent stationed in Artsakh.

RA Minister of Defense Vagharshak Harutyunyan, who is in the Russian Federation on a working visit, also discussed this issue during a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu.

It should be added that late last night, as well as at the moment, negotiations are underway in the Hadrut region between the Armenian, Russian and Azeri servicemen to resolve the situation and return the parties to their former positions. Additional information will be provided on further developments of the situation.