Armenia’s Defense Ministry spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan released the names of seven Karabakh soldiers, killed in the course of military actions in the conflict zones.
Among the fallen soldiers are Captain Hovsep Kirakosyan (b. 1988), Private Nodarik Margaryan (b. 1963), Private Sasun Mkrtchyan (b. 1989), Captain Armenak Urfanyan (b. 1990), Private Qyaram Aloyan (b. 1996), Sergeant Yuri Paramazyan, Major Hovsep Mayilyan (b. 1978).
On the night of April 1-2, Azerbaijani armed forces initiated overt offensive operations in the southern, southeastern and northeastern directions of the line of contact with Nagorno Karabakh.
As many as 18 Karabakh servicemen were killed and 35-40 were wounded in the course of military operations. A civilian, 11-year-old Vaghinak Grigoryan was also killed, with 6 other civilians, including two kids, wounded.
As of April 4, the Azerbaijani side has lost 20 tanks and over 5 armored vehicles, including an IFV, as well as 2 military helicopters and 3 unmanned aerial vehicles.
One Karabakh tank has been destroyed so far.
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The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.