As a result of Azerbaijani attacks on Armenia’s border regions, two Armenian soldiers were killed Monday, the defense ministry reported.
At around 6:10 p.m. local time Monday, Azerbaijani armed forces began firing different caliber weapons at Armenian positions in the Gegharkunik province, killing 19-year-old Private Arman Hakopyan, Armenia’s Defense Ministry reported, adding that three Azerbaijani soldiers were killed during the exchange of fire.
At 9:50 a.m. local on Monday, Armenian servicemen Vahan Tatosyan (b. 1975) was killed by Azerbaijani sniper fire in the Yeraskh region of the Ararat Province bordering Nakhichevan.
Armenia’s Defense Ministry added that Azerbaijanis suffered losses during this operation as well.
On Monday night, Azerbaijani Armed Forces began firing near the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in the Syunik Province, specifically at the Black Lake (Sev Lit) section, in an effort to advance their positions, the defense ministry reported.
Armenia’s Armed Forces repelled the attack and forces the Azerbaijani forces back to their starting positions. The defense ministry reported that Azerbaijani forces had one casualty, while none was reported on the Armenian side.
Armenia’s Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan on Monday said that according to reports from residents, Azerbaijani armed forces have been firing in the direction of Sotk mountain pass in the Gegharkunik Province.
Tatoyan explained that Azerbaijani shots emanated from the area where wind turbines have been operating. He said the almost 500-acre area, which is in the Geghamasar village in Gegharkunik in the Sotk moutain pass, was leased to a company in Armenia in December 2000 for 30 years for producing wind energy.
“In other words, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces are illegally present in the territory belonging to an Armenian company, from where they regularly target the Sotk gold mine, the Geghamasar village, and the positions of the Armenian Armed Forces. At the same time, with their illegal presence, they have inflicted a $5 million in losses to an Armenian company,” Tatoyan said.
Earlier on Monday, Tatoyan also reported Azerbaijani shooting in the direction of the villages of Kut and Norabak in the Gegharkunik Province.
“The shootings have been intense and come from different caliber weapons. The residents are trying to hide in shelters,” Tatoyan said.
“These actions of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces are criminal, and directly aim at killing people, undermining their security and peace,” Tatoyan warned.
