ArmInfo. Speaking at an enlarged meeting of the Board of the RF foreign office, Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.
"A year ago, Russia`s mediation ended the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. However, the recent exchange of fire on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border has shown that the situation in the region has not yet been defused. The efforts by the Russian peacekeepers as a guarantor of the ceasefire and security of civilians are an urgent necessity for ensuring stability," Lenta.ru quotes President Putin as saying. He pointed out Russian diplomacy`s growing role in settling Armenian-Azerbaijani disputes.
On November 16, Azerbaijani troops attacked the Armenian position using artillery, armored vehicles and firearms, and made an incursion into Armenia`s territory. Local fighting caused losses to both sides. The hostilities ended at 6:30pm Nov. 16, under an agreement with the Russian mediation. Armenia`s Ministry of Defense reported one Armenian serviceman killed and 13 capture. Communication with another 24 Armenian servicemen was lost, with two positions lost.
Late in the evening, November 17, Azerbaijani armed forces opened sporadic fire in some of the directions on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in the Tavush province of Armenia. The Armenian side neutralized the enemy.