Kremlin: Russian military verifying info about Azeri strikes against Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Russian military is working to verify information about Azerbaijan's strikes on the territory of Armenia, RIA Novosti cited Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov as saying on Wednesday, October 14.

The Azerbaijani military targeted army equipment on Armenian soil, based on assumptions that the equipment was ready to strike the peaceful settlements of Azerbaijan, the Armenian Defense Ministry said on October 14.

"Our military department is verifying this information, they maintain constant communication with their colleagues on both sides. You know that [Russian Defense] Minister Sergey Shoigu has held telephone talks with his colleagues on both sides. This information is being verified and analyzed," Peskov said.

When asked to clarify whether some CSTO mechanisms would enter into force if this information is confirmed, the Kremlin spokesman said: "Let's wait for the results."

Azerbaijan, with help from Turkey and mercenaries deployed by Ankara, launched a large-scale offensive against Karabakh (Artsakh) in the morning of September 27, shelling Armenian positions and civilian settlements with large caliber weapons and rocket systems. The Armenian side has reported deaths and injuries both among the civilian population and the military. Foreign and local journalists too have been injured in Azeri shelling of towns and villages. Although a humanitarian ceasefire was supposed to begin on October 10, Azerbaijan has renewed hostilities along the line of contact.