It's getting harder for Russian troops in the region
The tension around the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh does not subside. Once again, accusations of violations of the agreements have become more frequent from different sides. Azerbaijan remains dissatisfied with the fact that the unrecognized republic continues to be supplied from Armenia. In turn, Baku's desire to establish its own checkpoint on the Lachin corridor turned into a new incident with the crossing of the line of contact by the Azerbaijani army. In response, the Russian Ministry of Defense accused Azerbaijan of violating the 2020 agreements.
Last Saturday, Yerevan notified the Russian military that Azerbaijani servicemen had crossed the line of contact in Shushensky district. The Azerbaijani military occupied the height of 2054.0, which is located 2.9 km northeast of Mount Sarybaba, and immediately began to equip the post with engineering equipment.
Baku officially calls the advance of its forces in the Shushi-Lisagor section «measures of local control», accusing the Karabakh leadership of «illegal construction work» on dirt roads that lead from Armenia to bypass several sections of the Lachin corridor. Allegedly, these routes are used to protect and supply the combat positions of the troops of the unrecognized republic.
The Russian military department notes that Baku's actions violate paragraph 1 of the joint statement of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on November 9, 2020.
Earlier on March 22, unidentified people near Sev Lake fired at the car of Russian peacekeepers who were helping in the search for the missing Armenian soldier. In Armenia, Azerbaijanis were blamed for the incident. The Syunik regional administration reported that two Russian soldiers were wounded in the head area and turned to the Goris Medical Center.
Incidents that have become more frequent on the territory of one of the most problematic regions of the Transcaucasus naturally cause concern for the Russian Foreign Ministry. While the situation continues to escalate, there is no significant progress in terms of a peaceful settlement of the conflict.
Associate Professor of the Faculty of World Economy and World Politics at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, political scientist Andrey Suzdaltsev, believes that due to the growing tension in the region, one can expect the most serious consequences. “Russia has no rear there. In the understanding of the Armenian political class, Russia owes everything to Armenia. They believe that Russia should save Armenia, but they owe nothing. They did not even make decisions in support of our special operation in Ukraine. Crimea and new regions are also not recognized there. Considering the position of Iran, we need to be ready for the evacuation of our base from Armenia and the withdrawal of troops from Nagorno-Karabakh.”
According to the expert, Russia was left alone on the line of contact. “Pashinyan is now working to ensure that Armenia leaves the CSTO. He has already accepted the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, which issued a warrant for the «arrest» of Vladimir Putin. He has his own contacts with Turkey and other countries. Who are we protecting in the end?”