REPORT ON THE AZERBAIJANI AGGRESSION AGAINST ARTSAKH (NAGORNO-KARABAKH) AND ARMENIA

Table of Contents

Introduction ………………………………………………………………………. 2

Chapter 1: Chronology of the Azerbaijani military operations (27 September 2020  up to 27 October 2020) …………………………………..3

Chapter 2: Photos of missiles and UAVs used against Artsakh and Armenia ……………………………………………………………………………. 16

Chapter 3: Damaged Civilian Infrastructure and settlements by Azerbaijan ……………………………………………………………………….. 30

Chapter 4: Civilian Casualties ……………………………………………. 40

Chapter 5: Humiliating Treatment of killed soldiers and Prisoners of War of the Artsakh Defence

Army by the Azerbaijani forces …………………………………………... 46

Introduction

Azerbaijan has never hidden its intention to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by military means. Alongside the mounting bellicose rhetoric, the political-military leadership of Azerbaijan has been keeping tensions high along the Line of Contact with Artsakh and along the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border. On a number of occasions, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev publicly denounced the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs aimed at the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, thus openly resorting to war. To this end, Azerbaijan engages outside forces, including Turkey, whose growing presence in Azerbaijan, particularly in Nakhichevan, is in violation of the Vienna Document and has been documented and reported by Armenia to various international organizations, including the OSCE. Since the recent Azerbaijani aggression on the state border with Armenia (July 2020), Turkey has been openly supporting Azerbaijan’s military activities against Armenia and justifying the use of force. After the July offensive, Azerbaijan has been consistently making war preparations.

First, Azerbaijan closed down the transit air corridors for the last two months despite the absence of any threat to civilian air traffic.  

Second, since September 21, the Azerbaijani Army started drafting reservists and confiscating civilian trucks for military needs.

Third, on September 25, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence rejected the request of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office to conduct ceasefire monitoring along the line of contact. 

Fourth, there have been credible reports of Foreign Terrorist Fighters recruitment from those parts of Syria which are under the Turkish control, to be deployed to Azerbaijan.

Fifth, from the early morning of 27 September, the Azerbaijani authorities blocked social networks and media outlets. On top of that, Turkish media representatives have been present at the conflict zone from the outset of the attack, which also comes to prove that they were aware about the offensive in advance. Moreover, the statement of the Azerbaijani president at the UNGA on September 23 was a “diplomatic green-light” for this reckless aggression. It was full of hate speech and was a manifestation of a clear genocidal intent towards Armenian people.

The preparation to the current aggression was accompanied by large-scale military exercises by Azerbaijan and Turkey. From July 29 to August 10, the Azerbaijan-Turkey joint military exercises (Turaz Qaratli 2020) were held in Baku, Nakhichevan, Ganja, Kurdamir and Yevlakh. The exercises involved thousands of military personnel, hundreds of armoured combat vehicles, artillery and military aviation, including combat and intelligence UAVs. It is noteworthy that after the military exercise, Turkish military personnel (reportedly 600) and equipment (UAVs, multi-launch rocket systems and their munition, F-16 multifunctional jet fighters, as well as radio locators) remained stationed in Azerbaijan. Both the personnel and the armaments are currently involved in the Azerbaijani aggression against Artsakh.  Some operations are even coordinated by the Turkish command. Therefore, it is not surprising, that on September 27, shortly after the start of the large-scale military offensive, Turkey once again unilaterally and unreservedly supported Azerbaijan and keeps doing the same with no deviation.  

Chapter 1: Chronology of the Azerbaijani military operations (27 September 2020 up to 27 October 2020)

On September 27 Azerbaijan launched a large-scale military aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh, where 150.000 Armenians live. Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire between Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia and Azerbaijan signed in 1994. The ceasefire put an end to the war of 1991-1994 and paved the way for negotiations on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh.

27 SEPTEMBER 2020

At about 7:10 AM, early in the morning, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces launched a large-scale airborne, missile and land attack along the entire line of contact in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).  Azerbaijani army used tanks, helicopters, heavy artillery, UAVs, multiple launch rocket systems (‘’Grad’’ and ‘’Smerch’’). Martakert, Martuni[1], Stepanakert, the capital city of Artsakh, and other cities, many villages were under large-caliber artillery shelling.

Moreover, F16 Turkish fighter jets were noticed in the vicinity of the line of contact.  Armenian town Vardenis, Republic of Armenia has been also subjected to the Turkish-made UAV attacks. Azerbaijani army was deliberately targeting civilian settlements and infrastructure, which is an explicit violation of International Humanitarian Law and Geneva Conventions.

28 SEPTEMBER 2020

Early in the morning the Azerbaijani Armed Forces resumed large -scale aerial, missile and land attacks along the entire line of contact between Artsakh and Azerbaijan.  The Azerbaijani army used armoured combat vehicles, multiple launch rocket system ‘’Smerch’’ and heavy flamethrower system ‘’TOS’’. Several civilian settlements, infrastructures and schools in Martakert were under fire.  People were taking refuge in shelters. Azerbaijan continued to violate the International Humanitarian Law by deliberately targeting civilians. The Azerbaijani forces launched offensive in the direction of Mataghis-Talish and in the Valley of Araks River.

As a result of the aggression 59 servicemen of the Artsakh Defence Army were killed and about 200 wounded. There were also casualties among civilians, including a woman and a child.

29 SEPTEMBER 2020

Heavy fighting continued along the entire line of contact between Artsakh and Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani army used tanks, armoured combat vehicles, multiple launch rocket system ‘’Smerch’’, heavy flamethrower system ‘’TOS’’ and aviation, including UAVs. Azerbaijan continued the indiscriminate shelling of civilian settlements and infrastructures.

The Artsakh Defence Army repelled the attacks of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces along the entire line of contact. 

The Azerbaijani Armed Forces attacked the civilian-military infrastructure in Vardenis, Republic of Armenia, also targeting the civilian population, causing a civilian death. 

On the third day of Azerbaijan’s aggression against Artsakh the total number of the casualties among the servicemen of the Artsakh Defence Army reached 84, with hundreds of wounded. There were also four casualties among civilians and dozens of wounded, which proved that Azerbaijan continued to breach the Geneva Conventions and the principles of International Humanitarian Law.

30 SEPTEMBER 2020

Early in the morning the Azerbaijani Armed Forces resumed large-scale aerial, missile and land attacks along the entire line of contact between Artsakh and Azerbaijan.

At around 04:30am, the airspace of Stepanakert was violated by 3 Harop type UAVs, 2 of which were destroyed by the air Defence units of the Armenian forces.

Fights were more intense in the northern part of the line of contact. F16 fighters of the Turkish Air Forces were used in the north-eastern and southern directions.

The Azerbaijani army continued to use a wide range of heavy weaponry such as tanks, armored combat vehicles, air-to-surface long range missiles, multiple launch rocket systems, heavy flamethrower system ‘’TOS’’ and aviation, including UAVs. Azerbaijani air forces deliberately bombarded the civilian settlements and infrastructures which resulted in three more casualties among the civilian population in Martakert region of Artsakh.

According to the Armenian Intelligence Azerbaijan handed the command of the offensive air operation to the Turkish Air Force.

Since 10:00am, two Turkish F-16 fighters together with Azerbaijani SU-25 fighters and Turkish BAYRAKTAR UAVs had been taking off from Kurdamir Air Base in Azerbaijan. Operating at a high latitude they were striking the civilian settlements and infrastructures in Hadrut and Martuni regions.  This operation was controlled by a distant E7-T Air Force command post in an area near Erzerum-Kars in Turkey.  In addition, a UAV Turkish command post was located at a certain distance from the borders of the Hadrut region. It coordinated the attacks of Azerbaijani jets. 

1 OCTOBER 2020

Early in the morning the Azerbaijani Armed Forces resumed large-scale aerial, missile and land attacks along the entire line of contact between Artsakh and Azerbaijan.

The Azerbaijani air forces bombarded the civilian settlements and infrastructures in Martuni and Hadrut regions of Artsakh which resulted in injuries among the reporters of “Le Monde” (citizens of France), “Armenia TV” and “24news.am” media outlets. The reporter of “Le Monde” was wounded in an artillery strike by the Azerbaijani military in the Martuni town hall.

Azerbaijan launched artillery and combat UAV attacks in the direction of Shatvan village and Mets Masrik settlement of Gegharkunik region of the Republic of Armenia, as a result of which one civilian was killed and two were injured (Robert Yeghiazaryan, one of the wounded civilians, died on October 22). The air Defence of Armenia downed 3 combat and 4 surveillance UAVs in Gegharkunik and Kotayk regions of Armenia. Kotayk is located roughly 20 kilometers from Armenia’s capital city of Yerevan. Azerbaijan also launched artillery attacks on the Vardenis-Sotk road. 

2 OCTOBER 2020

Early in the morning the Azerbaijani Armed Forces resumed large-scale aerial, missile and land attacks along the entire line of contact. The Azerbaijani army continued to use a wide range of heavy weaponry such as tanks, armoured combat vehicles, multiple launch rocket systems and aviation, including UAVs.

Azerbaijan shelled Stepanakert twice.[2] Civilians were injured, including servicemen of the Rescue Service of Artsakh.[3] Civilian settlements and infrastructures in Stepanakert were seriously damaged.  On the same day Hadrut region of Artsakh was attacked by ‘’Smerch’’ multiple launch rocket system resulting in injuries among civilians. The Azerbaijani Armed Forces used Israeli-made “Lora” precision strike tactical ballistic missile in attacking civilian settlements and infrastructures. The Azerbaijani Armed Forces continued deliberate targeting of journalists with the use of artillery and other heavy weaponry with the aim to hinder the coverage from the conflict zone. In order to justify its attacks against journalists Azerbaijan accused Armenia in deliberate deployment of international journalists in the conflict zone which is utterly false. All journalists have been attacked in the civilian settlements of Arsakh while carrying out their professional activities. 

The total number of the casualties among the servicemen of the Artsakh Defence Army reached 163 with hundreds of injured.  There were also 11 casualties among civilians and dozens of injured.

3 OCTOBER 2020

Early in the morning the Azerbaijani Armed Forces resumed large-scale aerial, missile and land attacks along the entire line of contact between Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan put forward its entire military capacities, reinforced by Turkish military assistance, which also included foreign terrorist fighters transferred from other conflict zones in the Middle East. Heavy fighting continued in the northern and southern directions. The Artsakh Defence Army successfully repelled the attacks of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces inflicting heavy losses.

Azerbaijan bombarded Stepanakert twice. Its forces used cluster munitions against the civilian population of Artsakh fired by ‘’LAR-160’’ MLR system. The deliberate targeting of the civilian infrastructure threatened to trigger an environmental disaster. The attacks were mostly carried out with the coordination of the Turkish military specialists and with the military equipment and armaments provided by Turkey. Moreover, Azerbaijan used Turkish missiles in attacking Kut village of Vardenis region of the Republic of Armenia.

4 OCTOBER 2020

Heavy fighting continued in the northern and southern directions of the line of contact. The Artsakh Defence Army successfully repelled all the attacks of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.

On the 8^th day of aggression Azerbaijan, together with Turkey, and with massive involvement of foreign terrorist fighters from the Middle East, continued large-scale military hostilities against the Republic of Artsakh. Ignoring all the calls and warnings by Artsakh, Armenia and international community to stop aggression and the deliberate targeting of civilian population, in the morning Azerbaijani Armed Forces started attacks on the cities of Stepanakert, Martakert and Shushi using long-range missiles, namely “Polonez” and “Smerch” MLR systems, and the air force.  The confirmed number of casualties was 15 civilian deaths with more than 70 wounded.  Stepanakert was targeted with restricted cluster bombs.[4]

As of October 4 the total number of losses among the servicemen of the Artsakh Defence Army reached 208 with hundreds of injured.

5 OCTOBER 2020

In the morning, Azerbaijan resumed the bombardment of Stepanakert and Shushi. Civilian settlements and infrastructures, including schools and kindergartens in Stepanakert and Shushi were seriously damaged.[5]

Heavy fighting continued on the entire line of contact between Artsakh and Azerbaijan, particularly in the southern direction.

As of October 5 the confirmed number of losses among the servicemen of the Artsakh Defence Army reached 229 with hundreds of injured.

6 OCTOBER 2020

Azerbaijan resumed the shelling of the capital city of Stepanakert with the use of heavy artillery. 4 cluster bombs exploded in the city. Hadrut and Shushi were also shelled. Concentrating reserve forces and large amount of weaponry, including tanks and artillery the Azerbaijani armed forced launched a large-scale attack towards the southern direction of the line of contact between Artsakh and Azerbaijan.  

The confirmed number of casualties among civilians reached to 21 and more than 82 were injured.  About 2704 infrastructure facilities were destroyed. The number of losses among the servicemen of the Artsakh Defence Army reached 250 with hundreds of injured.

These actions were taking place just hours after the statement issued by OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia once again supported the call for the ceasefire.

7 OCTOBER 2020

During the night October 6-7, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces launched a large scale offensive on the south-eastern direction of the line of contact with an attempt to advance their positions.  The Artsakh Defense Army successfully repelled all the attacks of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.

Large units of Azerbaijani Armed Forces accumulated along the Artsakh-Iranian border (along the Araks River) in an attempt to move forward.  This tactic was aimed at provoking the Artsakh Defence Army to open fire in the direction of Iran. Armenia called on Iran not to allow the Azerbaijani forces to cross the river Araks. 

Azerbaijan continued the shelling of Stepanakert and the cities of Shushi and Hadrut with the use of heavy artillery and UAVs.

The number of losses among the servicemen of the Artsakh Defence Army reached 331 with hundreds of injured.

8 OCTOBER 2020

At 8:30 am (local time) the Azerbaijani Armed Forces launched a large scale offensive on the southern direction of the line of contact. The Artsakh Defence Army successfully repelled the attack of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. At around 14:00 the Azerbaijani Armed Forces launched 2 attacks on the southern direction which were sucessfully repelled by the Artsakh Defence Army.  

Azerbaijan deliberately shelled the Holy Savior Cathedral Ghazanchetsots twice, the symbol of Shushi, damaged also during the NK war in the 90s and then rebuilt after the war.  As a result, foreign journalists Yuri Kotyenok, Levon Arzanov, as well as their guide Hrant Baladyan got injured while covering on the ground the consequences of the first bombardment of the same cathedral earlier the same day.

The Vardenis region of the Republic of Armenia was attacked by the Azerbaijani UAVs (overall 7 units were destroyed between 19:30 and 21:20).

The number of losses among the servicemen of the Artsakh Defence Army reached 361 with hundreds of injured.

9 OCTOBER 2020

During the night of October 8-9 the situation along the entire line of contact between Artsakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable and tense. Heavy fighting continued on the southern direction.

The operative-tactical situation remained unchanged. In the morning the Azerbaijani Armed Forces resumed the shelling of Stepanakert, with the use of heavy artillery and UAVs, in a gross violation of the International Humanitarian law.

As a result of the Azerbaijani aggression the number of losses among the servicemen of the Artsakh Defence Army reached 387. There were 22 casualties among civilians, 95 wounded. 5800 immovable and movable property, infrastructure and industrial objects were destroyed or damaged.

On October 9 the Foreign Minister of Armenia was to meet his Azerbaijani colleague in Moscow under the mediation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia to conduct consultations on the cessation of hostilities in the zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, for humanitarian reasons, with a view to sharing the bodies of the dead and prisoners.

10 OCTOBER 2020

The large scale offensive resumed in the southern direction of the line of contact between Artsakh and Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani Armed Forces increased the use of heavy weaponry and intensified air strikes with the use of combat UAVs.

The Azerbaijani Armed Forces shelled the village of Artsvanik in the Kapan region of Syunik province of the Republic of Armenia with the use of combat UAVs, as result of which one civilian was killed.  The village of Yeritsvank in Artsakh was also shelled with the use of combat UAVs.  Azerbaijan also resumed the shelling of Stepanakert with the use of heavy artillery and combat UAVs.  

These offensive actions took place just hours after the joint statement of the Foreign Ministers of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan on the cessation of hostilities for humanitarian purposes that would take effect at 12:00pm, October 10 for the exchange of the bodies of the killed and the prisoners under the mediation of the International Red Cross.

On October 10, at 12:00 pm (local time) the Artsakh Defence Army ceased the fire. Ignoring the agreed ceasefire for humanitarian purposes, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces started an attack at 12:05 in the area of Karakhambeyli, in the southern direction of the line of contact. Azerbaijan also resumed the shelling of the town of Hadrut.

Moreover, prior to the establishment of the humanitarian ceasefire, the Azerbaijani side made reconnaissance and subversion attempt in the direction of Hadrut. The actions of the Azerbaijani side seemed to be motivated by the need to provide some kind of evidence to substantiate the claim that President of Azerbaijan made the previous day on the capture of Hadrut. The subversive group killed 6 civilians, including a person with disability. The Artsakh Defence Army  eliminated the forces of the subversive group.

The number of losses among the servicemen of the Artsakh Defence Army reached 415.

11 OCTOBER 2020

During the night of October 10-11, breaking the commitment to the ceasefire for humanitarian purposes, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces resumed the indiscriminate shelling of Stepanakert, Shushi, Hadrut and Martuni.

As a result of the attack one house was completely destroyed, one building of economic importance was burnt down, and other civilian infrastructures were damaged in the neighborhood.

6 UAVs accompanied by Turkish F-16 fighters launched indiscriminate attacks at civilian settlements and infrastructures in Artsakh. There were five casualties among civilians as a result of the indiscriminate shelling of Stepanakert, Shushi, Hadrut and Martuni by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces on October 10-11 with the use of UAVs.

12 OCTOBER 2020

During the night of October 11-12, the situation along the entire line of contact between Artsakh and Azerbaijani was relatively stable.

In the morning the Azerbaijani Armed Forces resumed the intensive shelling in the southern direction breaking the commitment to the humanitarian ceasefire again. The civilian infrastructures and settlements in Artsakh were under constant shelling.

Su-25 combat aircrafts of the Azerbaijani air forces continued to operate along the line of contact under the command of Turkish F-16 fighters.

The Artsakh Defence Army successfully repelled the attacks of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces inflicting heavy losses. On October 12 the Air Defence units shot down an Azerbaijani AN-2 unmanned bomber aircraft which was attacking Artsakh in the eastern direction,[6] and one Su-25 aircraft.

13 OCTOBER 2020

During the night of October 12-13 the situation along the entire line of contact between Artsakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable and tense. In the morning the Azerbaijani Armed Forces resumed the large scale offensive in the southern, northern, northeastern and eastern parts of the line of contact in violation of the humanitarian ceasefire.

In the night the Azerbaijani Armed Forces resumed the shelling of civilian settlements of Artsakh. One apartment burnt down in Martakert as a result.

14 OCTOBER 2020

During the night of October 13-14 the situation along the entire line of contact was relatively stable and tense.

In the morning, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces resumed the large scale offensive in southeastern, northern and northeastern parts of the line of contact.  The shelling of civilian settlements including the town of Martakert with the use of aviation was resumed. The Artsakh Defence Army shot down one Su-25 aircraft of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. The same day the Azerbaijani Armed Forces shelled a hospital in the North-East of Artsakh where civilians received treatment.

The Azerbaijani Armed Forces targeted military equipment on duty in the Republic of Armenia, in Vardenis region, based on groundless assumptions that the equipment was allegedly preparing to strike peaceful settlements in Azerbaijan. The Defence Ministry of Armenia stated that no missile, grenade or bullet were shot in the direction of Azerbaijan from the territory of the Republic of Armenia and that from now on the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia would reserve the right to target by the same logic any military object of military movement in the Azerbaijani territory.

The number of the civilian casualties continued to grow:  as of 14 October there were 31 killed among civilians and 106 wounded. More than 8000 immovable and movable property, infrastructure and industrial objects were destroyed or damaged. 

Around 673 Turkish and Israeli unexploded bombs and mines had been collected in Stepanakert, and destroyed.

The number of losses among the servicemen of the Artsakh Defence Army reached 543.

15 OCTOBER 2020

During the night of October 14-15 the situation along the entire line of contact between Artsakh and Azerbaijani was relatively stable and tense.

In the morning the Azerbaijani Armed Forces resumed the intense artillery offensive in southeastern and northern parts of the line of contact. The Azerbaijani Armed Forces resumed the shelling of Stepanakert by targeting civilian settlements.[7]

At 19:00 local time the Azerbaijani Armed Forces bombed the Karmir Shuka settlement of the Martuni region of Artsakh with the use of multiple launch rocket system “Smerch” as a result of which one civilian was killed. The Armed Forces of Azerbaijan shelled the village of Knaravan of the Shahumyan region of Artsakh, as a result of which one civilian was wounded. 

The Azerbaijani combat UAV hit a civilian car in Vardenis, Republic of Armenia. A 14-year-old boy was heavily wounded as a result.

16 OCTOBER 2020

During the night ofOctober 15-16 the situation along the entire line of contact between Artsakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable and tense. In the morning the Azerbaijani Armed Forces launched artillery attacks on several directions of the line of contact, mainly in the northern direction.

They conducted heavy artillery fire in the direction of the town of Martuni, Karmir Shuka and Berdashen settlements of the Martuni region, the village of Togh of the Hadrut region, Shosh village in Askeran region, and the settlements of Aygehovit, Aghavno and Tigranavan of the Kashatagh region of Artsakh.

In the evening, the Air Defence system of the Republic of Armenia detected flights of the Azerbaijani UAVs in the direction of the Khatsakh, Artsvanik, Davit Bek civilian settlements of the Syunik region of the Republic of Armenia, which was followed by an attack towards the military installations of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia damaging also the civilian infrastructure.

Air Defence units of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia shot down 2 Azerbaijani combat UAVs in the airspace of the Republic of Armenia. Azerbaijan continued to grossly violate the International Humanitarian Law and Geneva Conventions.

The number of losses among the servicemen of the Artsakh Defence Army  continued to grow and reached 644. As of October 16 there were 36 killed and 115 wounded among civilians.

17 OCTOBER 2020

During the night of October 16-17 the situation along the entire line of contact between Artsakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable and tense. No significant changes were reported with regard to the operational and tactical situation.

In early morning, violating the humanitarian ceasefire once again, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces resumed the heavy shelling of Stepanakert and Shushi as a result of which three civilians were injured^[8]. 

Early in the morning, the Air Forces of the Republic of Armenia downed two Azerbaijani UAVs, which breached the air space of the Republic of Armeia. Later, between 16:30 and 17:45 another 3 UAVs were shot down in the air space of Armenia.

According to the information of the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia, Azerbaijan was engaged in smuggling of large amounts of armaments and foreign terrorist fighters. The NSS cited data on the Azerbaijani Silk Way cargo airline’s two-way flights operated by a Boeing 747 and an IL-76 to military airbases of different countries: most recently on October 16, 2020 the Azeri cargo plane carried out a flight from Baku to Afghanistan’s Bagram Airfield, then on October 17 from Bagram Airfield to Lashkar Gah airport and back to Baku, Azerbaijan. The same route was scheduled for October 18, similar flights would operate after October 19.  Most of these flights were not recorded in the list of international flights and some airports were not even listed internationally.

On October 17 the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan agreed to respect a humanitarian ceasefire for the second time that would enter into force at 00:00 local time, October 18. The decision was taken following the statement of the Presidents of the French Republic, the Russian Federation and the United States of America, representing the Co-Chair countries of the OSCE Minsk Group, of 1 October 2020, the Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group of 5 October, and in line with the Moscow Statement of 10 October 2020.

The Republic of Artsakh welcomed the agreement on the humanitarian ceasefire and confirmed its readiness to observe the ceasefire on a reciprocal basis, in line with the Moscow Statement of October 10, 2020, and the agreement reached on October 17, 2020.

18 OCTOBER 2020

From 00:04 to 02:45, the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, in violation of the humanitarian ceasefire, resumed the shelling and opened an artillery fire in the northern direction of the line of contact, and at 02:20-02:45 launched missile attacks on the southern direction.

Early in the morningthe Armed Forces of Azerbaijan attacked in the southern direction of the line of contact. The video surveillance devices of the Artsakh Defence Army recorded the exact location and time of the attack.^[9]

At 07:20, following an active artillery fire the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan launched an attack in the direction of Khudaferin Reservoir, Artsakh-Iran border, southern part of the Line of Contact with the use of UAVs and artillery. The Artsakh Defence Army destroyed 4 tanks of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. 

19 OCTOBER 2020

During the night of 18-19 October, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, in violation of the humanitarian truce, targeted civilian settlements and infrastructures in the town of Martuni, and in the communities of Urekan, Ishkhanadzor, Aygehovit and Vurgavan of Kashatagh region of Artsakh.

In the morning, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces resumed the artillery shelling in the northern and south-eastern directions of the line of contact.

The number of losses among the servicemen of the Artsakh Defence Army reached 715. The number of losses among civilians was 36 with 115 injured.  9830 movable and immovable property, infrastructure and industrial objects had been destroyed or damaged.

20 OCTOBER 2020

During the night of 19-20 October, the situation on the line of contact was stable and intense. The Azerbaijani Armed Forces launched aviation and artillery attacks in the northern direction of the line of contact, as well as a large scale attack on the southern front of Artsakh.

As a result of countering measures the Azerbaijani Armed Forces retreated in the southern direction (Khudaferin Reservoir) suffering heavy losses.

21 OCTOBER 2020

During the night of October 20-21 the situation along the entire line of contact between Artsakh and Azerbaijani was relatively stable and tense. The Azerbaijani Armed Forces launched artillery attacks in some directions of the LoC. At dawn the Azerbaijani Armed Forces resumed the bombardment of civilian settlements: the town of Martakert and surrounding villages with the use of prohibited munitions. 

At 8:30am, Artsakh’s Air Defence Forces shot down an Azerbaijani airplane in the southern direction. During the day a Turkish ‘Bayraktar’ UAV was also destroyed.

The number of losses among the servicemen of the Artsakh Defence Army reached 839. The number of losses among civilians was 36 with 115 injured.  9830 movable and immovable property, infrastructure and industrial objects had been destroyed or damaged.

22 OCTOBER 2020

During the night of October 21-22the situation along the entire line of contact between Artsakh and Azerbaijani was relatively stable and tense. The Azerbaijani Armed Forces launched artillery attacks in some directions of the Line of Contact. During the whole day local battles continued in all directions of the front line. In addition, with the use of foreign terrorist fighters Azerbaijan carried out subversive infiltrations into small settlements and roads towards the central direction which were successfully prevented by the Artsakh Defence Army.

In the evening the Azerbaijani Armed Forces resumed the bombardment of civilian settlements of Artsakh.  As a result of indiscriminate shelling of the town of Martuni two apartments burned down.  The town of Askeran was also targeted. In the midnight the Azerbaijani Armed Forces bombarded Martuni again. According to prelimenary data the Azerbaijani forces used “Grad” multiple rocket launcher.

The Artsakh Defence Army shot down another Turkish Bayraktar UAV.[10] The use of 152-mm Czech Dana self-propelled artillery pieces by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces against the positions of the Artsakh Defence Army was identified.[11]

The number of casualties among civilians reached 37 killed with 115 injured. The number of losses among the servicemen of the Artsakh Defence Army reached 932.

23 OCTOBER 2020

During the night of October 22-23 the situation along the entire line of contact between Artsakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable and tense, the operational situation remained unchanged. The fighting continued along the entire LoC.

Early in the morning the Azerbaijani Armed Forces shelled the villages of Karmir Shuka and Taghavard in the Martuni region with the use of multiple launch rocket system “Smerch”.

At around 14:20, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces with the use of “Grad” rocket launcher shelled the Karegah settlement of the Kashatagh region of Artsakh where no military object was stationed, and the Karegah-Berdzor road.

The Armed Forces of Azerbaijan resumed the shelling of the Martakert town, including with the use of military aviation. The town of Martuni of the Martuni region and the village of Avetaranots of the Askeran region of Artsakh were also targeted. One civilian was injured in Avetaranots. 

In the evening the Azerbaijani Armed Forces resumed the shelling of Stepanakert with the use of Smerch multiple rocket launchers. Residential buildings and the civilian infrastructure, including a gas pipeline were damaged.[12]

In the evening the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia shot down an Azerbaijani UAV in the airspace (north-eastern direction) of the Republic of Armenia.

24 OCTOBER 2020

During the night of October 23-24 the relatively stable and tensesituation remained unchanged along the entire line of contact between Artsakh and Azerbaijan.  The local battles against subversive groups of Azerbaijan continued in the south-eastern direction of the LoC. One subversive group was neutralized.

In the northern direction the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan used heavy artillery fire and initiated attacks in the southern direction, which were neutralized by the Artsakh Defence Army.

The Azerbaijani Armed Forces continued the shelling of the civilian settlements of Artsakh. The town of Martuni and the village of Taghavard of the Martuni region were shelled with the use of “Grad” and “Smerch” systems. The town of Martakert was shelled with the use of military aviation.

The interactive map of the ongoing situation was made available:

https://www.facebook.com/ArmenianUnifiedInfoCenter/videos/350797306195343/

25 OCTOBER 2020

In the night of October 24-25 Azerbaijan continued the shelling of the peaceful settlements of Artsakh, namely the settlements of Karmir Shuka, Taghavard, Gishi, Spitakashen of the Martuni region and the villages of Avetaranots, Seghnakh and Moshkhemhat of the Askeran region and the adjacent territories of agricultural significance. 

Early in the morning, the Azerbaijani forces launched heavy artillery fire in the northern direction of Artsakh. The Azerbaijani forces launched dozens of attacks in the Southern part of Artsakh, particularly in the northern and western directions, including in the direction of Sanasar village. The local battles continued along the entire line of contact between Artsakh and Azerbaijan.

During the day some villages located north from Hadrut and south from Martuni were attacked by  subversive groups. The units of the Artsakh Defence Army were continuously detecting and neutralizing those groups. 

The Madatashen civilian community of Askeran region was shelled. Three residential houses and one commercial building were damaged. The Azerbaijani forces targeted the villages of Avetaranots, Seghnakh and Moshkhemhat of the Askeran region with artillery strike.

As of October 25, the number of casualties among civilian population reached 40 killed and 120 injured. 13100 movable and immovable property, infrastructure and industrial objects were destroyed or damaged. The number of losses among the servicemen of the Artsakh Defence Army reached 979.

The trilateral US-Armenia-Azerbaijan Joint Statement was issued on 25 October, reaffirming the commitment of the sides to establish a humanitarian ceasefire that would take effect at 08:00 am (local time), 26 October 2020.

The Azerbaijani forces seized the city of Sanasar/Kubatly during the night.

26 OCTOBER 2020

The Artsakh Defence Army adhered to the ceasefire starting from 08:00am. Unfortunately, it was breached by the Azerbaijani forces at around 09:10 am, when the south-eastern direction of Artsakh was targeted with 5 artillery shells.

Intensive fighting continued in the south-eastern part of Artsakh. The Azerbaijani forces along with foreign terrorist fighters and the special units of Turkey, attacked the south-eastern parts of the Artsakh.

The Azerbaijani forces continued missile strikes on the civilian settlements of the Artsakh Republic. Around 11:00 am the town of Martuni was attacked by the military aviation. At around 01:50pm, the Azerbaijani forces used “Smerch” type multiple rocket launcher in the direction of the Zardarashen village in the Martuni region. In the evening the Azerbaijani forces shelled the Martuni region, Martakert and the upper parts of Asekeran with “Grad” and “Smerch” multiple rocket launchers. A house in Martuni was burnt as a result of the shelling.

The village of Avetaranots in the Askeran region was shelled by ”Smerch” multiple rocket launcher. As a result, 1 civilian was killed (Gevorg Hambardzumyan) and 2 were wounded (Henrikh Adamyan and Andrey Hambardzumyan).

Starting form 17:00 the intensity of the fire along the entire line of contact was maximized.

27 OCTOBER 2020

During the night of 26-27 October, the situation on the line of contact between Artsakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable and intense. In some directions, artillery battles were conducted. The Azerbaijani side extensively used UAVs, some of which were shot down by the units of the Artsakh Defence Army.

During the night, Azerbaijan continued the violation of international humanitarian law and Geneva Conventions by targeting the civilian settlements in Martuni and Martakert, villages in the upper part of Asekran with artillery strikes. The Azerbaijani forces shelled the village of Nengi in the Martuni region with cluster munitions. According to the Human Rights Defender of Artsakh, 3 women were injured.[13]

In the morning, the local battles continued along the entire line of contact. The military operations in the northern direction were relatively less intense. The Azerbaijani subversive groups continued their attacks in the direction of some villages. Along the line of the Vorotan River a fixed military frontline was formed. The Azerbaijani forces undertook an offensive in the direction of Berdzor, but were repelled back. The units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces along with the foreign terrorist fighters and other forces were engaged in heavy fighting in mountainous and forest areas.

Around 10:00-10:15am, Azerbaijan once again violated the ceasefire by shelling the border guard posts at the southern border of the Republic of Armenia with Iran using drones and artillery.[14] The border guard units of the Republic of Armenia undertook preventive operations. There were wounded from the Armenian side.

The interactive map of the ongoing situation as of 27 October was made available:

Chapter 2: Photos of missiles and UAVs used against Artsakh and Armenia[15]

• The Amnesty International confirmed that the residential areas of Nagorno-Karabakh were bombed by cluster munitions, which is banned under international humanitarian law

LIST OF THE ARMAMENTS USED BY AZERBAIJAN AGAINST CIVILIAN SETTLEMENTS OF ARTSAKH AND ARMENIA[38]

Chapter 3: Damaged Civilian Infrastructure and settlements by Azerbaijan

• The Azerbaijani Armed Forces attacked more than 130 civilian settlements, including densely  populated communities (capital Stepanakert, towns of Shushi, Hadrut, Martuni, Martakert, Askeran, Karvajar, Berdzor, villages of Taghaser, Vardashat, Spitakshen, Maghavus, Nerkin Horatagh, Alashan, Mataghis,  etc) with aerial, artillery, rocket and tank fire strikes.
• According to the Human Rights Defender of Artsakh material damage was inflicted on more than 7.800 civilian objects.

Chapter 4:  Civilian Casualties

• As of 26 October 2020, there were 39 killed and 122 wounded civilians in Artsakh, as well as 2 killed and 3 injured civilians in the Republic of Armenia (including children).
• As of October 24, over 90,000 (60% of the whole population) civilians of Artsakh have fled their communities due to the attacks and continuous threats by Azerbaijan.[63]

Chapter 5: Humiliating Treatment of killed soldiers and Prisoners of War of the Artsakh Defence Army by the Azerbaijani forces [76]

[1] https://www.facebook.com/watch/?extid=0&v=380489463122476

[2] https://www.facebook.com/watch/?extid=0&v=329843188310294

[3] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-54392976

[4] https://www.facebook.com/watch/?extid=0&v=373348484036266

[5] https://www.facebook.com/watch/?extid=0&v=666926737287825

[6]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCztqp_F9wU&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR17mEEfQoDl8xvUxJjKqYykhKIjvqjvsERdcxySDworuEW0XlxyRQOLHiE

[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bIIt8dq8Gs

[8] https://youtu.be/9s_XnHo4uA4

[9] https://twitter.com/i/status/1317741235642269696.

[10] https://www.facebook.com/ArmenianUnifiedInfoCenter/videos/413973546263866

[11] https://www.facebook.com/100001234130518/posts/3596783630372739/?extid=0

[12]  https://twitter.com/ArmenianUnified/status/1319735208841719808?s=20

[13] https://twitter.com/ArtsakhOmbuds/status/1321109099342450689?s=20

[14] https://www.facebook.com/shushanstepanyan/videos/3364564203579716/

[15]The photos do not illustrate the whole range and exact number of missiles and UAVs used by Azerbaijan against Artsakh and Armenia.

[16]   https://artsakhombuds.am/en/document/722

[17] https://hetq.am/en/article/122317

[18] https://fip.am/en/13123

[19] https://www.lragir.am/en/2020/10/02/75648

[20] https://en.armradio.am/2020/10/03/turkish-missile-found-in-armenias-vardenis/

[21] https://hetq.am/en/article/122458

[22] https://panarmenian.net/m/eng/news/286132

[23] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/10/07/pictures-day7th-october-2020/unexploded-bm-30-smerch-rocket-sticking-ground-middle-street/

[24] https://www.facebook.com/ArtsakhInformation/posts/194235168883938

[25] https://twitter.com/NeilPHauer/status/1315699515765264384?s=20

[26] https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/286532/

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/10/armenia-azerbaijan-civilians-must-be-protected-from-use-of-banned-cluster-bombs/

[27] https://www.facebook.com/ArtsakhInformation/photos/a.105197087787747/196684645305657/

[28] https://www.facebook.com/ArtsakhInformation/photos/pcb.196622638645191/196622535311868/ https://www.facebook.com/ArtsakhInformation/posts/196559368651518

[29] https://www.facebook.com/ArmenianUnifiedInfoCenter/posts/813608966141699

[30]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMrWEjeHNL8&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR2IdsamQx0GWZ96Il3J2v24vdAWxIF_v52h–YbcY3U9kQZGvqJLwazd68

[31] https://www.facebook.com/ArtsakhInformation/posts/187548846219237

[32] https://en.armradio.am/2020/09/30/two-azerbaijani-drones-shot-in-the-sky-of-stepanakert/

[33] https://www.facebook.com/shushanstepanyan/posts/3345711408798329

[34] https://www.facebook.com/ArmenianUnifiedInfoCenter/videos/413973546263866

[35] https://www.facebook.com/shushanstepanyan/posts/3354587121244091

[36] https://www.facebook.com/ArmenianUnifiedInfoCenter/posts/817263582442904

[37] https://www.facebook.com/shushanstepanyan/posts/3359752454060891

[38] The data and information are preliminary and based on open sources.

[39] https://www.facebook.com/103859264588196/posts/186944219613033/?extid=0&d=n

[40] https://artsakhombuds.am/en/document/735

[41] https://www.facebook.com/ArtsakhInformation/posts/187567489550706

[42] https://www.ombuds.am/en_us/site/SpecialReports  (Ad Hoc report on fact-finding activities in villages of Gegharkunik Province of Armenia damaged by Azerbaijani military attacks 30 September-1 October)

[43] https://www.aravot-en.am/2020/10/02/265906/

[44] https://rsf.org/en/news/call-probe-origin-shelling-injured-reporters-nagorno-karabakh https://www.facebook.com/103859264588196/posts/187614916212630/?extid=0&d=n

[45] https://www.facebook.com/watch/?extid=0&v=693453461523168

[46] https://www.facebook.com/103859264588196/posts/190828119224643/?extid=0&d=n

[47] https://twitter.com/Artak_Beglaryan/status/1316329393640345600/photo/4

[48] https://www.facebook.com/103859264588196/posts/191430695831052/?extid=0&d=n

[49] https://fip.am/en/13228

[50] https://www.facebook.com/103859264588196/posts/192065559100899/?extid=0&d=n

[51] https://twitter.com/Artak_Beglaryan/status/1314135772358942720?s=20

[52] https://www.facebook.com/ArtsakhInformation/posts/195562635417858

[53] https://www.facebook.com/ArtsakhInformation/posts/193872255586896

[54] https://twitter.com/neilphauer/status/1316013654802747396?s=11

[55] https://twitter.com/Artak_Beglaryan/status/1316343621726154753/photo/1

[56] https://www.facebook.com/ArtsakhInformation/posts/196734568633998 

[57] https://www.facebook.com/282013979301203/posts/810548066447789/?extid=0&d=n

[58] https://twitter.com/517design/status/1317243741598568448?s=20

[59] https://www.facebook.com/ArtsakhInformation/posts/197400578567397

[60] https://www.facebook.com/RescueServiceOfTheNKR/posts/3802767143091066

[61] https://twitter.com/ArtsakhOmbuds/status/1319714829377196044?s=20

[62] https://www.facebook.com/ArmenianUnifiedInfoCenter/posts/819747745527821

[63] https://twitter.com/Artak_Beglaryan/status/1320070603274158082?s=20

[64] https://artsakhombuds.am/en/document/722

[65] https://www.facebook.com/ArmenianUnifiedInfoCenter/posts/808450586657537

[66] https://twitter.com/artak2020/status/1316118929576787970?s=20

[67] https://mediamax.am/en/news/armypolice/39903/

[68] https://www.facebook.com/ArmenianUnifiedInfoCenter/posts/811178783051384

[69] https://www.1lurer.am/en/2020/09/28/At-night-in-the-bomb-shelter-The-RA-Government-has-published-photos/320617

[70] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/16/nagorno-karabakh-sirens-shelling-and-shelters-in-stepanakert

[71] https://www.evnnews.com/en/article/10855/

[72] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-journalists-condit/two-french-journalists-seriously-wounded-after-shelling-in-nagorno-karabakh-idUSKBN26M5U7

[73] https://www.aravot-en.am/2020/10/10/266992/

[74] https://artsakhombuds.am/en/document/735

[75] https://twitter.com/Artak_Beglaryan/status/1315581056075128832?s=20

[76] The identities of Prisoners of War are confirmed by the respective bodies of the Republic of Armenia and Artsakh.

[77] https://artsakhombuds.am/en/document/735

[78] https://twitter.com/atatoyan/status/1318192485605269504?s=20

[79]https://www.bellingcat.com/news/rest-of-world/2020/10/15/an-execution-in-hadrut-karabakh/?fbclid=IwAR0bc-g-8F6bTRIHUiEfPnn7ZducVMw8C8Qpb20EtvuOVzPvRsAzhMiIU7U

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54645254

[80] https://twitter.com/Artak_Beglaryan/status/1320323287835181056?s=20

https://www.nuceciwan57.com/en/2020/10/24/azerbaijan-soldiers-documented-executing-a-wounded-armenian-soldier-in-new-video/

[81] https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FnVCCYLyw12VIN78GAxsJgqXhElFdb1n?usp=sharing ( Copy and search in browser )

[82] https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FnVCCYLyw12VIN78GAxsJgqXhElFdb1n?usp=sharing ( Copy and search in browser )

[83] https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FnVCCYLyw12VIN78GAxsJgqXhElFdb1n?usp=sharing ( Copy and search in browser )

[84] https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FnVCCYLyw12VIN78GAxsJgqXhElFdb1n?usp=sharing ( Copy and search in browser )

[85] https://twitter.com/KarabakhRecords/status/1319203595368226818?s=20

[86] https://t.me/military_az/1062

by Redactor