STEPANAKERT—The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Defense Army serviceman Private Artyom Arseni Varderesian (b. 1996) was killed by Azerbaijani fire on the Artsakh frontline at 2:55 p.m. on March 17. Later in the day, at around 5:30 p.m., another Karabakh soldier, Hovhannes Razmiki Harutyunyan (b. 1997), was killed by enemy fire.
According to press statements published by the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Defense Ministry, investigations to determine the details surrounding these incidents are underway.
The Artsakh Defense Ministry expressed condolences to the families of Varderesyan and Harutyunyan, as well as the members of their units.
On March 17 and the early hours of March 18, the Azerbijani Army fired more than 600 shots from different caliber weapons. The Artsakh Army took retaliatory measures, according to the Ministry.
Last week, the Artsakh Army quelled a diversion attempt by the Azerbaijani Army that took place around 11:20 p.m. on March 10. According to the Artsakh Defense Ministry, the army pushed the Azerbaijani troops back to their positions, killing at least two and wounding several others; the Artsakh Army suffered no casualties.