Armenia and Azerbaijan have confirmed their participation in consultations on October 9, official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova told reporters on Friday, October 9.

"Baku and Yerevan have confirmed their participation in the consultations in Moscow. Preparations are underway," Zakharova said.

Her comments came after Russian President Vladimir Putin urged a humanitarian ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone in order to arrange the exchange of bodies and prisoners of war, while inviting Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers to Moscow on October 9.

Azerbaijan, with help from Turkey, 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. Armenia and Karabakh have introduced martial law and total mobilization. The Armenian side has reported deaths and injuries both among the civilian population and the military. International and local journalists too have been injured in Azeri shelling of towns and villages.

Donations can be made to Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, which has launched a fundraising campaign to support Karabakh amid Azerbaijan's aggression.