Artsakh president: Azerbaijan continues with provocative actions

Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan on Wednesday confirmed reports of capture of Armenian soldiers by the Azerbaijani troops near the village of Khtsaberd in Nagorno-Karabakh’s Hadrut region.

“Azerbaijan continues with its regular provocative actions, one of the striking examples of which is their actions in the areas of Khtsaberd and Berdadzor in recent days," he said in a message posted on Facebook.

According to Harutyunyan, the Artsakh Defense Army and Russian peacekeepers prevented various provocations of Azerbaijani servicemen, who were driven out of the outskirts of Hin Shen village of Shushi last night.

"No one has been injured in the direction of Berdadzor these days, and the adversary has not been allowed to enter any settlement. Unfortunately, several dozens of our servicemen have been taken prisoner by the Azerbaijani forces in the direction of Khtsaberd. Currently the Defense Ministry is clarifying all circumstances. I personally will be consistent in bringing those responsible for the incident to justice. Their quick and safe return to the homeland should be the focus of all our efforts. We are already taking steps in that direction," he said.