Karabakh army not permitting Azerbaijan to approach helicopter crash site

November 21, 2014 By administrator

STEPANAKERT. – The ceasefire violations by adversary have increased dramatically in recent times along the entire length of the Line of Contact between the Karabakh-Azerbaijani opposing forces.

More intense firing of shots is recorded especially in the direction of the crash site of the Armenian helicopter which Azerbaijan shot down on November 12 on the eastern sector of the Line of Contact.

The Azerbaijani army, using different-caliber rifle weaponry, violated the ceasefire around 190 times on late Thursday night and early Friday morning in the aforesaid sector. In eight of these cases, the adversary also made use of grenades and several large-caliber weapons.

The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) Defense Army vanguard forces, however, have taken and are taking all necessary measures not to permit the adversary to approach the chopper’s crash site, the NKR MOD press service informed.

At present, the crash site and the entire frontline are under the constant supervision of the Armenian positions.

Karabakh Retaliate or not to retaliate?

November 20, 2014 By administrator

Editorial November 11-22

Edmond E. Azadian

Armenia should it retaliate against Azerbaijan or not? It is a Shakespearean dilemma at the border between Karabakh and Azerbaijan. Even if the answer to the question is a foregone conclusion, we know from the Armenian side of the border that sooner or later the Armenian forces will react to the provocation of Azerbaijan, who shot last week an Armenian military helicopter M1- 24 operating near the line to stop the fire, accompanied by another helicopter.

At the time of writing, recovery attempts have failed. The helicopter was shot inside the no man’s land and the bodies of three soldiers remained on board are inaccessible, the area remaining under intense fire from both sides. The Armenian side takes to prevent crime Azerbaijani forces, Armenians fear that the enemy lays a missile in the crash zone to try to prove that Armenian forces hostile intentions. Azerbaijanis take to keep the Armenian forces in distance and probably maintain tension and repel a possible solution to the conflict.

With little regard to the statement by President Aliyev Hilham consider airspace Karabakh as fly zone, President Serzh Sargsyan arrived in Stepanakert airport to board a military helicopter, accompanied by the Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanian. They were both dressed in military fatigues, given the war situation, and the president made a strong speech, evoking an appropriate response to the severity of the assault, a severe speech enough to deter further aggression of Azerbaijan .

International observers have studied the logic of the Karabakh conflict are of the opinion that the Armenian side will not be silent much longer.

Despite the rise of the rhetoric of war and violations of the ceasefire regime resulting fire, all parties seem convinced that the option of an open war is not yet payable of the day. President Sargsyan, who threatened reprisals in his strong speech, said that the threat of open war was not imminent.

The international response to the shot that killed the helicopter was predictable. Jan Psaki, the US State Department, members of the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs have put together also warned against any further provocation, knowing full well that party was responsible for this new incident.

The fact that the Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan has praised who fired the missile proves that he is not an accident or the result of a miscalculation; it was a decision taken at the highest level of the Department of Defense.

Last June, the cease fire was raped many times and Armenian forces responded to provocations on three fronts, causing many Azeri losses. In August, Russian President Vladimir Putin invited the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, advocating moderation. Other meetings at the highest level followed. The US Secretary of State John Kerry and French President François Hollande called the presidents of both countries to meet and at the border, a drop in blood ensued.

Moreover, whenever a meeting was held with the participation of two presidents and hopes were high for a peaceful solution to the conflict, Azerbaijan immediately violated the ceasefire regime ruining the chances for peace. This time, it took some time before this scenario does not happen again, but there was a more aggressive way than before.

The opposition daily Haykakan Jamanak believes that Aliyev is not 100 percent sure of the conclusion of the war and that any miscalculation would not be the end of the Aliyev dynasty with the loss of enormous wealth stolen from the coffers of the state and the life of exiles that follows.

Many in Armenia wondered why Moscow weapon Azerbaijan as massively as the only enemy of the latter is Armenia, strategic ally of Russia.

Answers and speculation are numerous and varied; answer is that Russia definitely wants Baku joins the Eurasian Union to complete its hegemony over the Caucasus. Others believe it is in the interest of Russia to maintain a certain fever in the region, without open war, to pose as the savior for both parties.

Another frequently asked question is: why Aliyev he chose to shoot the helicopter and why at this time?

Again, the answers are many and varied. During a recent military ceremony, echoing the voice of his master, the Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan Zakir Hasanov criticized the “inaction” of the Minsk Group. He expressed exasperation and announced that the only alternative is the military option, with respect to “restore the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.”

This rhetoric seems to be climbing a response to dissatisfaction with a restive population vis-à-vis the repressive regime of Aliyev, exposed to severe criticism issued by Western governments, mainly. Therefore, to divert the discontent, it takes Aliyev a scapegoat, that is to say, the Karabakh conflict. While he collects his profit the wealth of the nation, he wants to give him a patriotic picture, and sometimes, in spite of common sense, his vanity led him to take adventurous postures.

Knowing full well the influence of Moscow on Armenia, Aliyev expressed his impatience to force the hand of Moscow to act and force Armenia to withdraw its forces from Karabakh.

While theories abound and speculation, a source in Armenia think that the recent provocation comes from the West, forcing Azerbaijan to undertake another bloody conflict while Moscow is busy on its border with Ukraine.

This possibility remains remote, even if Russia had not committed anywhere in the world. The answer is given in an interview by a prominent Russian military analyst Pavel Felgenhaur. Whether the defense pact covers Armenian-Russian Karabakh has always been a much debated question. The analyst said he believed Russia could intervene if Armenia was attacked by Turkey, a distant prospect at the moment. “But if the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, Russian pact with Armenia would not play. The most that can be Russia, is to require both parties to cease hostilities. “ This is the protection of our strategic ally, Russia.

As if the troubles in Georgia were not enough, snaps of the Armenian border with Azerbaijan is intensifying with incalculable consequences.

Concerning the response of Armenia, it is believed that in all environments is rejected. This solves the Shakespearean dilemma, but tell us when this response will be or what form it will take place.

Gilbert Béguian translation Armenews

Thursday, November 20, 2014,
Jean Eckian © armenews.com

Azerbaijani military experts expose Defense Ministry’s fraud about allegedly ‘‘attacking helicopter’’

November 15, 2014 By administrator

Military commentator Rashad Suleymanov published a status on his Facebook page in which he expressed dissatisfaction with the demonstration of video footage that proves that the NKR Air Force helicopter was shot down in the Armenian territory and it did not even try to attack the Azerbaijani positions; this contradicts the version of the events presented by the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

“If tomorrow war starts, there will be no need to send journalists to the front line. There’s our military armed with Ipad-s and phones,” outrages the military commentator and notes that the grandparents too sitting by the road with their iPhones in their hands will work as journalists.

In another status a Suleymanov outrages with the inaction of the official structures of Azerbaijan in connection with the distribution of the footage. “I bring to the attention of Alaftun [Amashev] that the video footage of the downed helicopter published by our media contradicts with the official information of the Defense Ministry. I say this as a person familiar with military affairs and the line of contact,” Suleymanov writes.

He also notes that Azerbaijan cannot carry out war with a press, where work deserters who “escape” from the army and do not understand anything in military life.

It is noteworthy that one of the participants of the discussion – a user named Ruslan Rahimov draws attention to the fact that the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan itself extended the screenshots of this very video. Another participant of the discussion – military expert Uzeir Jafarov confesses that he is the author of this video, and notes that the Defense Ministry would spread a video footage with better quality, if it was available.

“Rashad, I understand your concern, but no need to worry. Perhaps you are concerned with the fact that the military servicemen tell the commander “hit” and that the second helicopter moves off. PERMISSION was granted officially. The soldiers were simply a bit in a hurry. Ilkin just clicked on the “button”, Jafarov says.

Another panellist – user named Hagani Safaroglu notes that the official statement of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry about the attacking helicopter and the video footage published in the Azerbaijani media apparently contradict each other. “What this amateurishness means? Defense Ministry is obliged to give an explanation,” the user writes.

After this discussion, Aflatun Amashov, the chairman of the Press Council of Azerbaijan, issued a statement condemning the media for dissemination of the video. “No journalist could have taken the moment when the helicopter was shot down. In this case, question arises – how could the media get this footage. I think that this should be seriously investigated,” Amashev stated.

As NKR Defense Ministry press service reported earlier, on November 12, at around 1:45 pm, Nagorno Karabakh Air Forces’ Mi-24 helicopter was shot by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces during military training flight in the airspace in the eastern section of Karabakh – Azerbaijan Line of Contact. The land, on which the incident occurred, is in close proximity to the line of contact. Opponent after the incident continued intense bombardment scene from weapons of different caliber. The place where the helicopter was shot is close to the Line of Contact. The enemy continued to fire shots from weapons of different calibers after the incident.

Meanwhile, the press secretary of Armenian Defense Minister Artsrun Hovhannisyan wrote on his Facebook page that Azerbaijani Armed Forces have carried out an unprecedented provocation on the border with the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh; this has also led to escalation of the situation. In the same time the fabrications of the Azerbaijani side, as if the Armenian helicopters had attacked their positions and they allegedly had merely responded to this step, are senseless. “The study of the wreckage of the helicopter will confirm that he was not armed. The escalation of the Azerbaijani side has continued even after the helicopter fall down. Moreover, the Azerbaijani side continued shelling, not allowing even to get closer to the pilots. The consequences of this unprecedented escalation will be very harmful for the Azerbaijani side and will remain as a stain on the conscience of the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan. Captain of the helicopter was Major Sergei Sahakyan. Information about the fate of the crew will be given later,” Artsrun Hovhannisyan stated.

More U.S. Congressmen condemn Azerbaijan’s aggression

November 15, 2014 By administrator

Members of Congress continue condemning Azerbaijan’s latest escalation of anti-Armenian aggression, in the form of its introduction of surface-to-air missiles in a fatal attack this week on an unarmed helicopter flying over Nagorno Karabakh, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“The downing of an Armenian helicopter today is an indefensible aggressive action that threatens to undermine the fragile ceasefire and plunge the region back into violence,” House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) announced, just hours after the November 12th Azerbaijani attack. “Azerbaijan must immediately cease all such attacks and provocations and commit to concrete progress in the Minsk Group talks.”

In a statement, Rep, Judy Chu explained “I am deeply troubled by the latest evidence of Azerbaijan’s continued aggression with their attack on an apparently unarmed helicopter. The people in Nagorno Karabakh deserve and desire peace, but Azerbaijan’s disregard for the 1994 ceasefire threatens both sides with conflict.”

“Azerbaijan should be held accountable for engaging in violence and not in peaceful negotiations,” commented San Fernando Valley, CA Congressman Brad Sherman, tweeting in solidarity with the Armenian Youth Federation #ArtsakhStrong social media campaign raising awareness about Karabakh freedom and opposing Azerbaijan’s increasing aggression.

In less than two hours, the AYF Western U.S., Eastern U.S. and Canada-led effort generated over 2,500 unique tweets viewed over 500,000 times on Twitter. Facebook and Instagram participation was robust as well. Participants were creative with their messaging, focusing on Artsakh history and the escalating campaign of Azerbaijani aggression. An AYF infographic on the helicopter attack called on the “international community to pursue sanctions on Azerbaijan.”

Just months after the California legislature adopted legislation in support of Karabakh self-determination, state-level elected officials issued strong statements against Azerbaijan’s most recent attacks.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of Major Sergey Sahakyan, and the 2 members of the Artsakh Air Force,” said Assemblyperson Adrin Nazarian. “It is unconscionable that the Azerbaijani Armed Forces would shoot down an unarmed helicopter, during a routine exercise, in an unprovoked attack against Artsakh. In order to regain peace in the region, Azerbaijan needs to prove themselves as an equal partner of peace and immediately cease all aggregation against the people of Nagorno Karabakh.”

CA Board of Equalization Member and Controller Elect Betty Yee shared her concerns regarding the most recent attack. “When life is threatened anywhere and citizens are left in fear, the possibility of peace becomes less hopeful. I join my elected colleagues around the world in denouncing this act of violence against Armenia. May peace reign within the borders, and may violence against any people and nation be condemned.”

Assemblymember Marc Levine tweeted, “If shown to be true, this unprovoked attack has the potential to destabilize an already unstable situation.”

U.S. Congressman slams Azerbaijan’s disregard for human life

Azerbaijan unlikely to take special steps to establish control of Nagorno-Karabakh airspace – Alexander Krylov

November 14, 2014 By administrator

In response to Tert.am’s question concerning Azerbaijan’s determination to keep its promises to shoot down Armenian helicopters and airplanes in the Nagorno-Karabakh airspace, Russia-based political scientist, Doctor of History Alexander Krylov said:

“Considering bellicose statements and militant rhetoric prevailing in that country, I am sure that many other servicemen may try to follow Muradov’s example. I think that Azerbaijan’s leadership is less likely to take special steps to establish control of the Nagorno-Karabakh airspace. However, if the conflicting parties and mediators fail to defuse the tension, more skirmishes will occur.”

The downing of the Armenian helicopter during a training flight threatens with tensions and even hostilities. Do you think the situation will develop into large-scale hostilities? What is your opinion on the Azerbaijani foreign office’s statement declaring Nagorno-Karabakh’s airspace a no-fly zone?

For years, Baku has been trying to force the Armenian side into capitulation by pressing and “wearing out” the Armenian armed forces. It is no coincidence that I speak of ‘capitulation’ because it is not a matter of mutual concessions. Azerbaijan’s only aim is the capitulation in question, as well as re-establishing control of the territories Azerbaijan considers “occupied.” It is with that end in view that, from year to year, especially this year, the military component of this policy has shown an upward tendency. I mean the August events, and a helicopter has been shot down.

I do not think this tension will develop into new war because Ilham Aliyev can only launch a real offensive if Azerbaijan’s victory is guaranteed. This, in turn, is only possible if Azerbaijan has decisive military supremacy over Armenia, that is, international support, Turkey’s military support, as well as consent by Russia and other international actors. Otherwise, resuming hostilities would be a perilous adventure on Ilham Aliyev’s part. However, it does not mean that a new war is impossible. First, tension is most dangerous in that the situation might get out of the Azerbaijani and Armenian leaderships’ control and develop into a spontaneous process.

I consider especially dangerous Azerbaijan’s statements on its intention to shoot down all the helicopters and airplanes in the Nagorno-Karabakh airspace, which will make the Armenian side retaliate.

What are the reasons for Baku to show it is not inclined to a peaceful settlement by escalating tensions?

First, I should note that Azerbaijan’s social and economic situation is not at all in harmony with the revenues the state has due to its natural resources. And it is no secret that a great number of Azerbaijani citizens have to emigrate to Russia to earn their living. We should not forget that a substantial proportion of Azerbaijan’s population reside in rural areas and have low incomes.

What is your opinion of Azerbaijan’s determination to keep its promises to shoot down Armenian helicopters and airplanes in the Nagorno-Karabakh airspace?

Considering bellicose statements and militant rhetoric prevailing in that country, I am sure that many other servicemen may try to follow Muradov’s example. I think that Azerbaijan’s leadership is less likely to take special steps to establish control of the Nagorno-Karabakh airspace. However, if the conflicting parties and mediators fail to defuse the tension, more skirmishes will occur. It is in this case that a situation is much more likely to develop into a spontaneous process, which I have mentioned.

Azerbaijan is seeking tension – opinions

November 13, 2014 By administrator

Armenian MPs are not surprised at either Azerbaijan’s attack on an unarmed helicopter of the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army or declaration of Nagorno-Karabakh’s airspace a no-fly zone.

According to Chairman of the Free Democrats party Khachatur Kokobelyan, declaring Nagorno-Karabakh’s airspace a no-fly zone was one more provocative statement by Azerbaijan.

In an interview with Tert.am, he said that air forces had never had any problems with the Nagorno-Karabakh territory before November 12.
“And this is one more attempt on their part to show the international community that they are seeking tensions,” Mr Kokobelyan said.
Despite the Azerbaijan foreign office’s statement declaring Nagorno-Karabakh’s airspace a no-fly zone Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s helicopter landed at the Stepanakert airport in the afternoon on Thursday.

According to Mr Kokobelyan, the international community has so far adequately reacted to Azerbaijan’s attack on the Nagorno-Karabakh helicopter. He is sure that Azerbaijan’s attempts to destabilize the region will fail.
“It does not meet either our interests or the interests of the entire Caucasus or of the international community,” the MP said.
Azerbaijan’s attempts are evidence of its being incapable of meeting the criteria proposed by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs.
“They are thus expressing their dissatisfaction,” he added.

Head of the Heritage parliamentary group Ruben Hakobyan is not surprised at the attack on the helicopter. And Azerbaijan’s foreign office is expected to make statements like that.
“This can be considered in the context of the events in late July-early August. To our army’s credit, we were able to adequately retaliate, and the attacker sustained heavy losses,” he said.

Azerbaijan is getting ready for war, resorting to provocations. Azerbaijan’s act must not go unpunished, Mr Hakobyan said.
Secretary of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D) Aghbvan Vardanyan hopes that the Armenian side will retaliate adequately.

“We know our neighbors very well. They have no changed their policy they are constantly creating tensions, trying to deal with us from a position of strength and show it is their territory. This time we must retaliate in a different way. Provocations will continue until enemy comes to realize that a dozen will be punished for one,” Mr Vardanyan said.

Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) parliamentary group member Levon Martirosyan told Tert.am that Azerbaijan’s foreign office did not make a serious statement.

“If they can declare a territory that is not theirs a no-fly zone, we might just as well declare Azerbaijan’s territory a no-fly zone. So it is a counterproductive approach, a way to nowhere.”

EuFoA: Azerbaijan established regime based on fear and lies

November 13, 2014 By administrator

November 13, 2014 – 23:18 AMT

The European Friends of Armenia EuFoA as well as a number of European politicians strongly condemned the downing of the Artsakh military helicopter by Azerbaijani armed forces. report PanARMENIAN.Net

“We condemn the new outbreak of violation. We state that as always, it is the Azerbaijani authorities that are responsible for it again. This provocation nullifies Azerbaijan’s commitments. We hoped Baku would adopt a more rational and constructive behavior after Armenia-Azerbaijan meeting on October 27 in Paris. Breaking the promise to France only a few days ago, the Azerbaijani leadership showed that it’s not a reliable partner in the region,” said François Rochebloine, French MP and Member of EuFoA’s Europe-Armenia Advisory Council.

“It is clear to all international organizations that the Azerbaijani administration established a totalitarian regime based on fear, lies and repression. Therefore, it also tries to neutralize any attempt of freedom and rule of law in the region, attempting in vain to threaten also the population of Nagorno Karabakh and their strong commitment to democracy and fundamental rights by shooting down unarmed helicopters, or murdering civilians as it was the case a few weeks ago. Last but not least I would like to pass my deepest condolences to the families of the helicopter crew,” added EuFoA Director Eduardo Lorenzo Ochoa.

“Shooting down the military helicopter in Nagorno Karabakh is a very dangerous and unprecedented escalation of the conflict in the region,” said MEP Jaromir Stetina of the EPP Group and Vice-Chairman of the Sub-committee on Security and Defense of the European Parliament.

MEP Frank Engel, President of the EP’s Nagorno Karabakh Group added: “The downing of an unarmed helicopter of the Nagorno Karabakh Defense forces by Azerbaijan on November 12 constitutes the most grievous violation of the ceasefire in 20 years. It is not only the single most senseless act of Azerbaijan: it is yet another element which must lead any objective observer to believe that commitments to non-use of force by Azerbaijan on Nagorno Karabakh are worthless. Rewarding the attacking officer by a medal for outstanding military service reminds us all of how “returning” criminal and murderer Ramil Safarov was elevated to national hero by the Azeri dictatorship. On October 27, the leadership of Azerbaijan pledged again that the country would refrain from any violence and use of force in the process of a viable settlement for Nagorno Karabakh. Two weeks later, Azerbaijan has shown what such pledges are worth. I condemn this latest act of aggression by Azerbaijan in the most forceful terms.”

The helicopter shot down by Armenian Azeri near Agna (Aghdam) was not armed as Yerevan

November 12, 2014 By administrator

The consequences for Azerbaijan of rising tension in the conflict will be painful for her and the military leadership of Azerbaijan will be held accountable. Statement just to make Ardzroun Hovhannisyan, the spokesman of the Armenian Army after helicopter Mi 24 Armenian killed by Azeris on the front of the Nagorno-Karabakh is almost Agna (Aghdam) today at about 13h45 to Aghdam and that killed the first informations- -according to 3 Armenian soldiers. Ardzroun Hovhannisyan also claimed that the helicopter was in training and was not armed. “Studying the wreckage of the aircraft testify,” he said. While Armenian spares wanted to head toward the downed helicopter, Azeris kept the fire to prohibit emergency access. The helicopter pilot was Major Sergei Sahakian. The identity of the other members of the crew chief Lieutenant and Lieutenant Azad Sahakian Sarkis Nazarian.

Krikor Amirzayan

Armenia must give adequate response to Azerbaijan

November 12, 2014 By administrator

Shooting down the MI-24 helicopter during a training flight was an act of war and provocation by Azerbaijan, political scientist Levon Melik-Shahnazaryan told Tert.am.

According to him, the Armenian side must give an adequate – and even more aggressive – response to Azerbaijan.

“I am sure it was a provocation by Azerbaijan. As far as I know a fight is going on for the helicopter there. I think our side’s all steps must be serious and concrete because Azerbaijan has no right to take our helicopter, even a shot down one,” he said.

Mr Melik-Shahnazaryan finds it difficult to predict the consequences of Azerbaijan’s act of war. However, the Armenian side must retaliate, he said.

“If we do not retaliate now, we cannot be sure that they will not shoot down a civil helicopter or an airplane. This is a challenge for Armenia, Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh] and the international community, including the three co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. Azerbaijan is taking advantage of an unstable political situation in Russia and is resorting to ‘probing actions.’ Azerbaijan does not even have a right to think its provocations can ever go unpunished,” Mr Melik-Shahnazaryan said.

Heritage parliamentary group member Tevan Poghosyan said that no one can say that the war is over.

“We are at war and we must always be ready to respond to such provocations.”

Faithful to its style, Azerbaijan resorts to provocations thereby showing that it not only continues ‘sniping war’, but is also ready to use their air defense forces.

“We must get accustomed to everything and be ready and, of course, respond to this all – and even more – for them to always realize,” he said.

In response to a remark that this is an unprecedented incident, Mr Poghosyan said that year by year Azerbaijan’s actions are becoming more and more “unprecedented.”

“So we must once more be convinced that our war is not over,” he said.

As regards the Armenia’s side’s response, he said that Armenian military command has repeatedly stated that no provocation will go unpunished.

“This is evidence of Azerbaijan constantly getting ready for war. It is not only damage to the Nagorno-Karabakh air forces, but also a message to the international community that Azerbaijan’s only aim is hostilities and it is prepared for that,” Mr Poghosyan said.

Deputy Director of the Institute of Literature Vardan Devrikyan, who participated in the Nagorno-Karabakh war, said that Azerbaijan’s action was a cynical provocation. The following conclusion must be made: even if an aircraft overflies Nagorno-Karabakh, it must have security guarantees.

“Azerbaijan has done it, and the international community will ‘digest’ its action, and our steps will not be effective. Effectiveness means being strong and throwing them into panic,” Mr Devrikyan said.

Azerbaijan does not miss a single chance to escalate tensions. The Armenian side must draw lessons from the incident and, besides drawing political conclusions, become invulnerable both on the land and in the air.

Armenia vows ‘grave consequences’ after helicopter downed

November 12, 2014 By administrator

By Emil GULIYEV with Mariam HARUTUNYAN in Yerevan 1 hour ago

Baku (AFP) – Yerevan vowed ‘grave consequences’ Wednesday after Azerbaijani forces shot down an Armenian military helicopter, sparking fears of a major escalation of the longstanding conflict over Nagorny Karabakh.

The downing is the most serious military incident along the Karabakh frontier since the 1994 ceasefire that ended a bloody war that cost 30,000 lives over the disputed region.

Armenian media reported that the helicopter’s three crew members were all killed.

“A MI-24 combat helicopter attempted to attack positions of the Azerbaijani army near (Karabakh’s) Agdam district,” Azerbaijan’s defence ministry said in a statement.

“The helicopter has been shot down by the Azerbaijani army,” it said, adding that the wreckage fell on territory held by ethnic Armenians.

Yerevan vowed that Baku will face “grave consequences”, fuelling fears that the incident might seriously undermine a shaky peace.

“This is an unprecedented escalation and the consequences for Azerbaijan will be grave,” Armenia’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Artsrun Hovannisyan, told AFP.

“Azerbaijan’s claim that the Armenian helicopter attacked its positions is not true. Examination of the wreckage will prove that the helicopter carried no weapons,” he added.

The separatist defence ministry in Karabakh confirmed that its helicopter was downed by Azerbaijani forces “while conducting a training flight as part of military drills”, adding that a firefight began after the incident and was continuing.

“The enemy is continuing to fire intensively in the direction of the site of the incident with small arms of various calibre,” it said.

Since Thursday, Karabakh forces have been conducting joint drills with Armenia coordinated by the Armenian army chief-of-staff.

– Worse since Ukraine crisis –

Two decades after a ceasefire agreement ended their bitter war over Karabakh, Azerbaijani and Armenian forces regularly exchange fire across their frontier and along the Karabakh frontline.

Last August saw an unprecedented spiral of violence with more than 20 troops killed from both sides in the deadliest clashes since an overall ceasefire was agreed.

Armenian separatists backed by Yerevan seized the mountainous region, which is mainly inhabited by ethnic Armenians, from Azerbaijan in a war in the 1990s.

Despite years of internationally mediated negotiations, the two sides have not yet signed a final peace deal, with Karabakh still internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan.

The peace talks are being brokered by the so-called Minsk group of mediators appointed by the OSCE in 1992 and co-chaired by France, Russia and the United States.

Oil-rich Baku, whose military spending exceeds Armenia’s entire state budget, has threatened to take back the region by force if negotiations do not yield results.

Armenia, which is heavily armed by Russia, says it could crush any offensive.

Last month Europe made a fresh push to end the festering conflict.

Germany’s Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited both countries in October to facilitate a negotiated solution to the conflict.

French President Francois Hollande also hosted leaders from Armenia and Azerbaijan for Karabakh talks but the meeting ended without any breakthrough.

Tensions between Baku and Moscow-allied Yerevan are escalating as Russia confronts the West over Ukraine, where government forces are battling pro-Russian separatists.

“What happened in Ukraine has had a direct impact” on the Karabakh conflict, a source in Hollande’s entourage said in October, adding that Russia’s annexation of Crimea “exacerbated the climate”.