Two Armenian Soldiers Killed on Karabakh Front-Lines

STEPANAKERT — Two military servicemen of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) Defense Army were killed as a result of continued violation of the ceasefire by Azerbaijan.

Press service of NKR Ministry of Defense said in a statement that conscripts, Vahe Vanoyan and Mikael Torosian, were fatally wounded late on Thursday when Azerbaijani troops violated the ceasefire at a southern section of “the line of contact” around Karabakh. The army gave no details of the incident, saying only that it has launched an investigation.

The Armenian Ministry of Defense has offered deep condolences to the families of the two soldiers in a statement that strongly condemned the truce violation and accused Baku of ignoring international mediators’ appeals. “Despite being mindful of the fact that this action will not remain without consequences and the guilty will be punished, Azerbaijan’s military-political leadership is once again opting for an escalation of the situation,” it said in the statement.

“At the same time, we draw attention to the fact that Azerbaijani attacks on Armenian frontline positions are intensifying by the day despite efforts by the U.S., Russian and French mediators to ease tensions on the frontlines and kick-start the Karabakh peace process.” The Ministry statement said.