A Russian peacekeeping unit reported a fatal incident when a BTR-82 vehicle left the road on a mountain route in Nagorno-Karabakh, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
The ministry’s bulletin adds: “On December 11, one soldier of the Russian Armed Forces was killed and two were moderately to seriously injured when the BTR-82 from the peacekeeping contingent veered from the mountain road.”
Reports indicate that the Azerbaijani side provided comprehensive medical care to the wounded servicemen.
Former Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has spoken about the Karabakh conflict, noting that it appeared unsolvable at first. He argued that the process of resolving Karabakh matured after 2016 and stressed that the government’s experience revealed a gap between perceptions of the issue in Armenia and the evolving reality since his administration took office. [Source: Armenian government statements]
On September 19, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense announced the launch of a localized anti-terror operation in Nagorno-Karabakh aimed at curbing large-scale provocations and removing Armenian forces from the region. The following day, an agreement brokered with Russian mediation led to a ceasefire. Under that accord, Karabakh’s armed formations were to be disbanded, their heavy equipment withdrawn and handed over, with the Russian peacekeeping mission overseeing implementation. [Statement: Azerbaijani MoD; Verification: Russian mediation]
The operation prompted protests in Armenia, including calls for the resignation of political leaders, and contributed to a significant displacement crisis, with over 100,000 people reportedly relocating within the country from Karabakh. Separately, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic announced the decision to end its unrecognized status as of January 1, 2024, signaling a major shift in regional governance. [Civil society reports; government statements]
Earlier in the year, Armenia stated that control of certain areas had shifted to Azerbaijani authorities, reflecting evolving realities on the ground. [Regional security updates]