The number of Azerbaijani soldiers currently on Armenian soil does not exceed 1000, Head of the Operative Department/Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Edward Asryan told reporters on Thursday, May 27.

Asryan maintained that the Azerbaijani units "have no chance of performing serious tasks" on the territory of Armenia.

"If we resolve the issue through the use of military force, those 1,000 servicemen will not be able to leave our territory. We'll destroy everyone indiscriminately," the Deputy Chief of Staff said.

On the morning of May 12, the armed forces of Azerbaijan violated the border of Armenia in the southern province of Syunik, advancing 3.5 kilometers and surrounding Sev Lake, which is situated on the border between the two countries but is predominantly a part of Armenia. On May 13, the Azerbaijani military committed more border violations against Armenia, advancing near Vardenis (Gegharkunik province) and Sisian (Syunik province). One Armenian serviceman was killed in Azerbaijan’s shooting on May 25, while six others were captured on May 27.