ArmInfo. In the conditions of observed economic shocks within the CIS, in the meantime while we are adopting documents on measures to respond to emerging problems, developing methods aimed at mitigating the impact of the current economic situation for the well-being of the citizens of our states, a CIS member country launched an unprovoked and absolutely illegal large-scale aggression against a sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia.
RA Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan stated this in his speech at a regular meeting of the CIS Economic Council in Moscow. He recalled that on the night of September 12-13, 2022, the armed forces of Azerbaijan attacked the eastern and southeastern parts of Armenia, in fact, directly encroaching on the territorial integrity of the Republic. The aggression was carried out with the use of artillery, mortars and unmanned aerial vehicles, and not only the combat positions of Armenia were fired upon, but also civilian infrastructure in the direction of the settlements of Sotk, Vardenis, Jermuk, Goris, Kapan, Artanish and Ishkhanasar of Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor and Syunik regions. There is evidence of torture, dismemberment, illegal killing by Azerbaijanis of captured Armenian soldiers. As a result of the aggression, the number of killed and missing persons reaches 207, including civilians. There are partially or completely destroyed 192 residential buildings, as well as hotels, schools, a medical facility and other civilian facilities. As early as September 2, 2022, the Azerbaijani side began to spread "fake" news with unfounded accusations of alleged violations of the ceasefire by the Armenian side, with the clear goal of providing favorable information grounds for the implementation of their aggressive aspirations.
"We regularly received and continue to receive information about military air transportation from Turkey to Azerbaijan. From September 5-9, the Turkish and Azerbaijani Air Forces conducted joint exercises, the declared task of which was to destroy air and ground targets of a conventional enemy. The far-fetched accusations of the Azerbaijani side of dragging out any processes, works or negotiations by Armenia are unacceptable. Armenia implemented all the provisions of the statements of November 9, 2020, January 11 and November 26, 2021 in a timely and detailed manner and conducted negotiations in a constructive way. The aggressive policy pursued by Azerbaijan, taking into account the situation around Ukraine, is aimed at disrupting efforts to establish peace in the region. The aggression of Azerbaijan against the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia in violation of the internationally recognized borders of the Republic of Armenia is also aimed at disrupting the work of the Commission on State Border Delimitation and Border Security between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the State Commission on State Border Delimitation between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
The assertion that Azerbaijan has the right to occupy the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia only because there is no delimited border is absolutely groundless.
The Republic of Armenia, taking into account the seriousness of the situation, decided to apply to the CSTO and the UN Security Council. We expect that effective measures will be taken, primarily by the CSTO. We demand that Azerbaijan immediately take all the necessary measures and actions for a complete ceasefire, as well as to return its armed forces' formations to their initial positions and immediately release the Armenian prisoners of war.