The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense reports that three of its soldiers were wounded by a landmine explosion in the occupied part of the Shushi region of the Republic of Artsakh, unjustifiably accusing the Armenian side of deliberate provocation. Artak Beglaryan, adviser to Artsakh State Minister, wrote  in his Telegram channel.

“A few points in that regard:

1. Since that part is under Azerbaijani control, it is illogical to claim that these are fresh and intentionally placed landmines. Under the conditions of the Azerbaijani video surveillance systems, how is it possible to place fresh landmines behind them?
2. There were battles in that area during the wars both in the 1990s and in 2020, and it is unclear who and when laid landmines there. Moreover, when that area was under our control, one of our pastors had also exploded on a landmine there. Therefore, I do not rule out that in the mentioned periods those landmines had been laid by the Azerbaijanis themselves.
3. Since Azerbaijan has never cooperated with Artsakh and Armenia, and has not provided any minefield maps, as well as has always obstructed international demining efforts in Artsakh, we have not been able to sufficiently demine many areas, including that section, in a timely and efficient manner.
4. What does the Republic of Armenia have to do with it, if it is deep in the territory of Artsakh, and all the roads are blocked by Azerbaijan, which means that any access from Armenia is excluded for months.
5. From Azerbaijan’s accusations and claims, it is supposed that they are trying to create additional and false pretexts for new provocations and aggressions, while the Artsakh side is committed to the ceasefire regime and is always ready to discuss and settle all issues of mutual concern, including the lifting of the blockade and bilateral demining issues.”