Russia's Defense Minister Says 7,000 Refugees Returned to Karabakh

On Saturday, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu said that about 7,000 refugees have already returned to Karabakh, after Russian peacekeepers guaranteed security for the convoys that transported them.

During a meeting with his Armenian counterpart Vagharshak Harutyunyan, Shoygu stated that the Russian peacekeepers had ensured safe crossing of all refugee convoys. He added, "Until today, about 7,000 citizens have returned, and this work continues, and I am confident that everyone who wishes to return to Karabakh will be able to do so."

Russian Defense Minister has shortly arrived in Azerbaijan after a visit to the Armenian capital Yerevan earlier today.

The Russian Minister called on the Armenian Minister of Defense to keep strict control over adherence to the ceasefire agreement in Karabakh to avoid provocations.

On November 10, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia signed an agreement to end six weeks of fierce fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Under the agreement, Russian peacekeepers are being deployed along the front line in Nagorno-Karabakh and the corridor between the region and Armenia.

A total of 1,960 Russian peacekeepers are to be deployed in Nagorno-Karabakh under a five-year mandate.