The Azerbaijani defense authorities have stated that Armenian forces launched attacks against Azerbaijan’s armed forces with unmanned aerial vehicles. The report comes from Azerbaijan’s defense ministry, which provided details on the incident and the defensive actions taken by Azerbaijani troops. The ministry’s account emphasizes that the confrontation occurred at a specific frontline sector and involved drones reportedly produced through improvised methods, highlighting the evolving nature of unmanned warfare in the region.
According to the statement, on March 18 at 07:15 local time (06:15 Moscow time), Armenian forces deployed combat UAVs to positions operated by the Azerbaijani military near the Yellidzh area within Kelbajar. The description portrays a targeted strike against multiple Azerbaijani positions along the front line, underscoring concerns about the use of unmanned systems in border skirmishes and the broader tensions between the two states. The ministry notes that the drones were designed and assembled locally, which has drawn attention to the accessibility of drone technology in ongoing conflicts.
As investigators examined the strike site, the remains of projectiles fired from drones were discovered, indicating the type of weaponry involved in the engagement. The Azerbaijani side reports that no casualties were reported among its forces and that measures of retaliation were carried out at the time of the attack. The assertion of no casualties reflects the routine military communication that accompanies border incidents, while the mention of countermeasures highlights a swift response to perceived threats on the frontline.
Earlier, Armenian authorities claimed that Azerbaijani forces had bombarded Armenian defensive positions near Sotk. This exchange of allegations is part of a longer pattern of cross-border exchanges in which both sides accuse each other of initiating hostilities and deploying various weapons systems along disputed lines of control.
On May 14, Azerbaijani officials released a statement about mortar fire directed at Azerbaijani positions along the border with Armenia. The timing and specifics of such reports often vary as both sides seek to control the narrative surrounding incidents at or near the border. The broader context includes long-standing regional volatility, with periodic escalations and calls for de-escalation from international observers and regional actors.
In a related development, Armenian defense authorities had previously attributed defensive and preventive actions to Armenian forces following allegations of Azerbaijani strikes on Armenian settlements, including the village of Kut. The sequence of assertions from both ministries mirrors the persistent friction on the frontier, where limited but repeated clashes have kept the region on edge and prompted mutual statements about restraint and readiness.