The Armenian Ministry of Defence (MOD) reported the death of another Armenian soldier yesterday evening (16 August). Private Arman Hovhannes Hakobyan, born in 2002, received a fatal gunshot wound after “an intense skirmish” between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops along the Gegharkunik section of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. This latest incident comes the same day as another Armenian serviceman was reportedly killed by an Azerbaijani sniper. The Armenian MOD accuses Azerbaijani troops of opening fire on their position and of more "provocation". The statement also reports that Azerbaijan suffered three casualties following retaliatory action, though Azerbaijan affirms that it did not suffer any loses and that it “controls the operational situation”.
On their end, the Azerbaijani MOD alleges that Armenia opened fire on its positions in a variety of locations along the border yesterday, including “in Ashaghi Shorzha and Yukhari Shorja settlements of Basarkechar region by the use of small arms and large-caliber weapons”. Tensions at the border have remained high since the re-establishment of a Russian brokered ceasefire on 28 July, with continuous reports of skirmishes breaking out.
The Armenian MOD statement said it shared the grief of the loss and expressed support for the family members, relatives and colleagues of the deceased serviceman.