Azerbaijan Accuses Russian Peacekeeping Contingent of Illegal Transportation

On March 21, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that the accompaniment of supply vehicles belonging to illegal Armenian armed detachments by the Russian peacekeeping contingent's units temporarily stationed in the Karabakh economic region was observed by the Azerbaijani side once again.

"Column movement of 1 BTR-82A combat vehicle belonging to the Russian peacekeeping contingent, 3 Armenian URAL awnings, and a KamAZ vehicle with a fuel tank (five military vehicles in total) in the direction of the Khankendi(Stepanakert)-Khalfali-Turshsu dirt road was recorded by Azerbaijan Army's technical surveillance means," the report added.

"We reiterate that the implementation of military transportation accompanied by the Russian peacekeeping contingent is a gross violation of the provisions of the Trilateral Statement and unacceptable. Such regular illegal activities make it inevitable to establish an Azerbaijani border crossing and control point at the end of the Lachin road on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border," it stressed.

Armenian soldier killed on border with Azerbaijan

On March 22, Arshak Sargsyan, a serviceman of a military unit of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia, was fatally wounded by Azerbaijani fire in a combat position located near Yeraskh village. The Azerbaijani MOD denied its involvement in the incident. 

Iran's actions after the tensions

On March 22, Ali Bagheri Kani, the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, paid a two-day visit to Armenia. 

According to him, it is necessary to focus on strengthening the neighborhood policy in the region. Kani considers his visit in the context of the attention that Iran pays to the South Caucasus and the strengthening of ties with the countries of this region.

Moreover, Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi stated that any changes in historical borders, regional geopolitics, and Iran-Armenia transit routes are unacceptable. He also rejected any European military presence under any pretext: "The West cannot distract us strategically."

Also, due to tension on the northwestern borders of Iran, the level of readiness of air defense units, missile units of the army, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has increased. 

Furthermore, Iranian Air Force reconnaissance flights are carried out near the northwestern border of Iran to monitor the movements of Azerbaijani troops. According to some media reports, the Armenian government has permitted Iranian drones to enter Armenian airspace for monitoring.

Other developments

New footage showed a military column in Azerbaijan passing through civilian roads.

Moreover, several posts by a presumed IRGC-affiliated Telegram channel about military developments and possible ones along their northern border, particularly directed to Azerbaijan, who they believe may start a new war in Armenia soon.  

Also, on March 22, Azerbaijan blocked natural gas supplies to Nagorno-Karabakh from Armenia, the local distribution company Artsakhgaz said. The pipeline that brings natural gas from Armenia passes through Azerbaijani-controlled territory.