Artsakh parliamentarians: We expect the return of the Azerbaijani  Armed Forces to their staring positions

ArmInfo. Highly appreciating consistent steps taken by the Russian peacekeeping forces based in the Republic of Artsakh, we expect the return of the Azerbaijani  armed forces to the starting positions. This is stated in a statement  issued by the factions of the Artsakh Parliament.  

As the press service of the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY of the Republic of  Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) reports, the statement reads, in part:

"March 28, the gas supply artificially disrupted by Azerbaijan for  days was restored in the Artsakh Republic.  Gas supply is a purely  humanitarian issue, but Azerbaijan has used it as a means of exerting  psychological pressure and intimidation on the people of Artsakh.  However, the people of Artsakh, once again displaying high civil  responsibility, managed to overcome the current situation.  This  policy of repression has been severely criticized by Republic of  Armenia, peacekeeping forces of the Russian Federation and the  international community, in particular, the Russian Federation, the  United States and France and a number of other countries and  international organizations.  All the factions of the National  Assembly of the Artsakh Republic express gratitude to the  international structures and our friends for manifesting a principled  attitude.  At the same time, highly appreciating consistent steps  taken by the Russian peacekeeping forces based in the Republic of  Artsakh, we expect the return of the Azerbaijani armed forces to the  starting positions." It should be noted that on March 24 the  Azerbaijani Armed Forces, having violated the line of contact,  invaded the village of Parukh in the Askeran region of Artsakh and  tried to take control of the strategic height of Karaglukh. These  territories are in the zone of responsibility of Russian  peacekeepers. There were local battles. The enemy used attack drones.  There are casualties on both sides. The Armenian side confirmed the  deaths of three and the wounding of 15 of its contract soldiers. The  Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan does not provide any information  about its losses, but at least 5 Azerbaijani servicemen were killed  and two wounded. Yesterday, the Russian Defense Ministry reported  that the Azerbaijani military retreated to their starting positions,  meanwhile, the Azerbaijani side refuted this message of the Russian  defense department, assuring that it is a lie.     It should be noted that gas supply interruptions have started in  Artsakh since March 8. On the night of March 8, the Azerbaijani Armed  Forces damaged a pipe passing through the territories under their  control.  Then, after long negotiations, on March 19, the gas supply  to Artsakh was restored, but as it turned out, not for long. On March  21, Azerbaijan again cut off the gas supply to Artsakh - as it turned  out, the Azerbaijani side installed a valve on the gas pipeline  thereby terrorizing the population of the NKR. Gas supply was  restored on March 28 in the evening.