Russia says ‘public attacks’ on Karabakh peacekeepers ‘unacceptable’

Russia said on Friday that “public attacks” on its peacekeepers deployed around the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan were “unacceptable,” a day after Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan criticized the contingent.

Azeri civilians identifying themselves as environmental activists have blockaded the only road between Armenia and the predominantly ethnic Armenian enclave since December 12. Nagorno-Karabakh officials say food, medicine and fuel are running short.

On Thursday, Armenian news site Hetq quoted Pashinyan as accusing the Russian peacekeeping force of “becoming a silent witness to the depopulation of Nagorno-Karabakh,” having failed to reopen the road.