Russia: Hundreds displaced by Nagorno-Karabakh conflict return to region - Defence Ministry

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Seven-hundred-twenty-five of those displaced by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have returned to the region since November 14, accompanied by Russian peacekeeping and military police patrols, Russian Defence Ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said at a briefing in Moscow on Monday.

The spokesperson also noted that the exchange of bodies in Nagorno-Karabakh continues were carried out in accordance with the agreements.

"The exchange is coordinated by the peacekeeping forces of the Russian Federation and the International Committee of the Red Cross," Konashenkov outlined.

He also stated that peacekeepers are currently clearing mines and explosives in the Lachin corridor, and the ceasefire is observed along the entire contact line.

Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a Russian-brokered deal to cease fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from 01:00 local time (21:00 GMT) on November 9. Under the terms of the agreement, Azerbaijan obtains control of the territory it has taken in the most recent fighting, with Armenia giving up further areas, including the Kalbajar district.

The deal also sees around 2,000 Russian peacekeepers deployed to the region to guard a road connecting the remaining part of the unrecognised republic of Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia.

SOT, Igor Konashenkov, Russian Ministry of Defence Spokesperson (Russian): "In accordance with the decree of the Russian President issued on November 10, 2020, the deployment of Russian peacekeepers continues in Nagorno-Karabakh. In the areas where the peacekeeping operation is being carried out along the line of contact, the deployment of Russian peacekeeping forces' observation posts has been completed and the situation is being monitored 24 hours a day. The ceasefire is monitored by the peacekeeping units at nine observation posts in the southern zone of responsibility and nine in the northern zone of responsibility. There are seven temporary observation posts in the Lachinsky Corridor (along the road Zabux - the Lysogorsky sovkhoz [state farm] - Zarysly) to ensure the passage of military columns of the peacekeeping units. The ceasefire regime is maintained along the entire contact line. On November 15 this year, 475 refugees returned to Nagorno-Karabakh from the territory of the Republic of Armenia accompanied by Russian peacekeeping forces and military police patrols. In total, since November 14, 2020, 725 people who had previously left the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh due to the hostilities have returned to their places of residence. In accordance with the agreements reached, the body swap in Nagorno-Karabakh continues. The exchange is coordinated by the peacekeeping forces of the Russian Federation and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Mine clearance and clean-up of explosives in the Lachin corridor are in progress. Today, one kilometre of Stepanakert-Goris road has been inspected and demined, 27 pieces of broken and damaged vehicles have been removed from the carriageway and roadsides."

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SOT, Igor Konashenkov, Russian Ministry of Defence Spokesperson (Russian): "The transfer of personnel, military equipment and property of peacekeepers by military transport aircrafts IL-76, An-124 continues. In total, 140 flights have been performed since November 10, 2020. Twenty flights have been made over the past 24 hours. The headquarters of the Russian peacekeeping force contingent has been deployed in Stepanakert, from the command post of which the peacekeeping operation is managed. In accordance with a decree of the Russian President, the Russian Defence Ministry has set up an Interdepartmental Center for Humanitarian Response in Nagorno Karabakh. Interaction with the local administration has been organised with regard to the Center's activities. In order to carry out peacekeeping tasks, prevent possible incidents and ensure the security of Russian servicemen, the continuous interaction with the General Staffs of the armed forces of Azerbaijan and Armenia is maintained through direct channels of communication. Information on the operative situation and activities of the Russian peacekeeping forces is constantly updated in a special section of the Russian Ministry of Defence website."
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