The crisis surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh has intensified. Armenia’s Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, has asked for Russian military involvement in the region and awaits concrete actions to halt violations of the ceasefire along the contact line. He emphasized the need to coordinate the details of any Russian contingent operation to ensure the peacekeeping effort is effective.
During a government session, Pashinyan noted that a sequence of events since 2020, including recent days, has prompted questions in Armenia about the purpose and conduct of the peacekeeping mission in Nagorno-Karabakh. He urged an urgent agreement on the operational details of the peacekeeping presence in the area.
In August 2022, the Azerbaijani army launched Operation Revenge in response to actions by Nagorno-Karabakh formations within the Russian peacekeeping zone. The operation led to control over several dominant heights. Armenia reported two soldiers killed and 19 injured in the clash.
Pashinyan stated that Yerevan expects the Russian force to suppress violations along the contact line and to uphold the inviolability of the boundaries established by the peacekeeping mission.
He cited the tripartite statement of 9 November 2020, which defines a contact line under the Russian peacekeeping presence. Armenia expects any attempt to breach this line to be stopped by peacekeepers and for Azerbaijani forces to withdraw inside the line. This, he implied, would reduce the need for Armenian military deployments around Nagorno-Karabakh.
Tension in the region
The year 2020 marked a resumption of fighting in Karabakh, continuing a long-standing conflict that produced civilian casualties. A tripartite ceasefire, brokered by Moscow, was reached on 10 November, enabling a prisoner exchange and the return of bodies. Regions including Yerevan, Kelbajar, Lachin and Agdam shifted control to Azerbaijan, while Russian peacekeepers were deployed to monitor the area.
Pashinyan described the current situation as extremely challenging. He noted casualties on both sides and pointed out that while active hostilities had waned along the contact line, the environment remains highly tense. The Armenian leadership stressed the need to ease the tension and advance peace efforts.
He asserted that Armenia has not stationed troops in Nagorno-Karabakh. He criticized Azerbaijan for talking about the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army, arguing that if the peacekeeping guarantees hold, there would be no need for Armenian combat duty in the region. He also stated that Armenia has no soldiers stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh and emphasized Armenia’s readiness to fulfill its obligations under the tripartite framework.
Pashinyan claimed that Azerbaijan seeks to undermine the 2020 tripartite agreement and treat it as a mere victory, aiming to nullify its provisions and avoid their full implementation. Nevertheless, Yerevan conveyed continued willingness to support regional peace and to meet the agreement’s terms.
The Armenian side expressed openness to establishing a transport link between western Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan. Armenia asserted that such a corridor could be opened within the bounds of Armenian law, while noting that Baku has not yet taken advantage of this opportunity. Armenia maintained that it stands ready to facilitate border transit to Nakhchivan if Azerbaijan accepts the framework of the current agreement.
Shooting chronicle
On 28 July, activity intensified as Armenian authorities accused Azerbaijan of shelling villages east of the border. Armenian news outlets reported a 20-minute bombardment by Azerbaijani forces in the Khojavend region, but no casualties were reported. On 30 and 31 July, Azerbaijan said Armenian forces had struck Karabakh villages, with no information available on casualties from either side.
On 2 August, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that a Karabakh soldier was wounded in shelling by Azerbaijani forces. The day also saw three ceasefire violations recorded. On 3 August, Azerbaijan reported casualties from an early-morning attack by Armenian formations.
Both sides repeatedly charged the other with shelling and violating the November 2020 agreements. The European Union called for an end to hostilities and expressed readiness to assist in achieving lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus. On 4 August, CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to halt fighting and pursue a diplomatic resolution.
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