Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, responded to the attack of the Azerbaijani subversive group on the Artsakh police car.

Commentary by MFA Spokesperson Maria Zakharova on the Aggravation of Tensions in the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict Zone

“We express our serious concern at the aggravation of tension in the zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Over the past few days there have been repeated violations of the ceasefire regime. On March 5, an armed incident occurred that resulted in human casualties from both the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides.

We urge the parties to exercise restraint and take steps to de-escalate the situation. We reaffirm the need to strictly comply with the provisions of the Statement of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia of November 9, 2020 on a complete ceasefire and all hostilities in the zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Any issues related to ensuring security and life in the zone of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent (RPC) must be resolved peacefully in contact between the parties under the auspices of the RPC.

The incident once again confirms the imperativeness of the speedy return of Baku and Yerevan to negotiations within the framework of the implementation of the provisions of the tripartite statements of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia dated November 9, 2020, January 11 and November 26 , 2021, as well as October 31, 2022, including those related to unblocking regional communications, delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and preparation of a peace treaty.”

Let’s remind that at around 10:00 on 5 March, the subversive group of the armed forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in order to destabilize the internal situation of the Republic of Artsakh, in the territory of the Republic of Artsakh, in the area west of the area called “Ghaibalishen”, on the left bank of the Armenavan River, carried out actions aimed at the destruction of people, causing bodily harm, destroying or damaging roads and means of communication as well as property.

Using weapons of different calibers, the sabotage group attacked the “UAZ” service car of the Passport and Visa Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh passing through the described area, with direct intent, illegally depriving of life the Police Lieutenant Golonel Armen Babayan, Police Major Davit Danielyan and Police Lieutenant Ararat Gasparyan, and  caused physical injuries, to Police Lieutenant Davit Hovsepyan.