The following statement was released today by the Armenian Foreign Ministry.

On the evening of October 16, Azerbaijan once again started shelling the civilian settlements of Artsakh, including the capital of the Republic, Stepanakert. As a result, three civilians of the Shosh community were wounded.

At the same time, the air defense system of the Republic of Armenia has detected  flights of Azerbaijani UAVs in the direction of the Khatsakh, Artsvanik, Davit Bek settlements of the Syunik Province of the Republic of Armenia, which was followed by an attack towards military installations of the armed forces of the Republic of Armenia damaging also the civilian infrastructure. Fortunately, no one was killed and wounded.

It is noteworthy that a few hours before the Azerbaijani side disseminated a provocative and absolutely false allegation on the shelling of Ordubad settlement in the Nakhijevan Autonomous Republic by the armed forces of the Republic of Armenia. In line with their traditional behavior, the wave of such disinformation was followed by the real aggression against the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia.  

Consistent attempts of Azerbaijan to extend the geography of the conflict, thus irreversibly undermining the regional security should be condemned in the strongest terms. Any encroachment against the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia will receive an adequate response.