Sappers of the Russian peacekeeping contingent have begun demining more than 20 hectares of the territory of the village of Kolkhozashen in the Martuni region of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), the Russian Defense Ministry reports.

In the past two months, the Russian experts have cleared more than 100 hectares in the settlements of Machkalashen, Kherkhan and Herher near the line of contact to pave the way for agricultural work and livestock grazing by residents of Nagorno-Karabakh.

82 mm mortar ammunition and artillery shells have so far been discovered, which were either exploded on the spot or taken to a landfill for destruction.

As of August 20, the peacekeeping forces have cleared 2257 hectares of terrain, 674 kilometers of roads, and 1927 buildings, the Russian Defense Ministry added.

The Russian peacekeeping contingent was deployed in the area in November when Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Russian and Azerbaijani Presidents Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev signed a statement to end the war in Karabakh after almost 45 days. Under the deal, the Armenian side has returned all the seven regions surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh, having lost a part of Karabakh itself in hostilities.