Previous reports

On December 27, Ruben Vardanyan, the de-facto Nagorno-Karabakh State Minister, confirmed that 10 tonnes of humanitarian aid (medicine, baby formula, and medical supplies) were received through ICRC mediation, enough for about ten days. 

On December 28, local Armenians gathered around Russia's Peacekeeping Headquarter, asking to speak with its commander Andrey Volkov. The crowd mainly asked for direct answers about the road blockade. Participants included women and children, some lit bonfires to stay warm at night as many, especially the men, stayed there at night. Also, Armenians said they would blockade the 102nd Russian military base in Gyumri if the road is not opened.

On the same day, Volkov visited the de-facto government building of the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh. After the meeting, Nagorno-Karabakh temporarily suspended activity at “Base Metals” mines after consultations with the company due to the Azerbaijan activists [which blocked the Lachin Corridor]. The procedure reviews are to be carried out by international experts, the de-facto government of Nagorno-Karabakh stated.

Recent developments

On New Year's Eve, Russia Peacekeeping Command in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh reported handing out gifts to local children in Stepanakert. 

On January 3, Azerbaijan state-controlled Ictimai TV reported 20 vehicles passing through the Nagorno-Karabakh roadblock.

On January 4, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan mentioned the Karabakh during his party's parliamentary meeting, stating that they came to Azerbaijan's rescue there [in 2020] just as they did in Libya.

On January 5, de-facto Nagorno-Karabakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan denied the  Russian Defense Ministry’s reports that the command of Russian peacekeepers deployed in the Nagorno-Karabakh was negotiating the resumption of unimpeded travel along the Stepanakert-Goris road, which is the only road linking the Karabakh with Armenia.

On January 6, Michael Carpenter, US Representative at the OSCE, on his Twitter account stated, "The United States remains concerned the Lachin Corridor has now been blocked for over three weeks, creating a grave humanitarian situation. We thank ICRC [International Committee of the Red Cross] for providing critical aid during this time but call on Azerbaijan and Russia to restore access immediately."

On the same day, the Azerbaijani side responded to the US official's remarks. Aykhan Hajizada, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, tweeted, "It is unfortunate that the US Ambassador to the OSCE is deceived by the false narrative on 'blockade' and 'humanitarian situation.' Why is it OK to use the Lachin road for all sorts of illegal activities but protesting against is not appropriate?"

On January 7, the Azerbaijan side filmed some more ICRC vehicles crossing through the corridor.

On the same day, de-facto Nagorno-Karabakh President Arayik Harutyunyan dismissed Vitaly Balasanyan, who served as Secretary of the Security Council. Balasanyan has been replaced with Major-General Ararat Melkumyan, who served as the First Deputy Director of the National Security Service.