Nagorno-Karabakh Accuses Azerbaijani Forces Of Killing Soldier

Separatist authorities in Azerbaijan's breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh region say a soldier has been shot dead by Azerbaijani forces.

In a statement issued on June 25, the de facto Defense Ministry of the unrecognized republic said Private Armen Avetisian, 19, was killed in an overnight attack.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry said on June 25 that Armenian forces had violated the cease-fire at least 78 times in the last 24 hours.

Baku and Yerevan remain locked in hostilities over Nagorno-Karabakh, which was seized from Azerbaijan by Armenian-backed separatists during a devastating war in the early 1990s.

At least 17 soldiers from both sides have been killed in shooting incidents so far this year.

Nagorno-Karabakh's independence has not been recognized by any country.

Based on reporting by nkrmil.am, mod.gov.az, and Interfax