Azerbaijan says Armenian claims of downed helicopter are ‘lies and provocations’

The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry has denied reports that one of its helicopters was shot down in the Karabakh conflict zone. Instead, the Ministry accused Armenian forces of mortar fire, which has resulted in a civilian death.

On April 2, the press secretary for the Armenian Defense Ministry, Artsrun Hovhannisyan, said fighting had broken out along the fortified lines of the Karabakh conflict zone. The press secretary claimed there were casualties on both sides, including the downing of an Azerbaijani helicopter by the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Army.

From 1991–1994, an armed conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia was fought over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The conflict resulted in the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic gaining de facto independence. Azerbaijan believes the territories taken by Armenia during the conflict are illegally occupied.

“Allegations of a shot down Azerbaijani helicopter are utter lies. This is yet another provocation by the Armenian side,” said the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.