Although the main task for the Russian military in Nagorno-Karabakh was and still is to monitor compliance with the ceasefire regime around the clock, they are simultaneously solving many other problems. Mainly of a humanitarian nature.
The war in Karabakh ended recently, and it is simply unrealistic to establish a normal and safe life there as quickly as possible without the participation of our peacekeepers. Whether it concerns the return of refugees to the region, the exchange of prisoners and bodies of the dead, clearing buildings and areas of unexploded ordnance, or many other problems, the participation of Russian blue helmets is required everywhere. They do not let their commanders down and live up to the hopes of the war-weary civilian population.
Let's start with monitoring the situation on the contact line. On Wednesday, Russian defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said that in order to obtain objective data on the situation in the region, mobile video broadcasting systems were installed at all observation posts of Russian peacekeepers. "The situation is also controlled by Orlan-10 drones," the General said.
Our blue helmets continue to ensure the safe return of refugees to their homes, provide humanitarian assistance to the population of Karabakh, and help restore civilian infrastructure in the region. Yesterday, school No. 8 was reopened in Stepanakert. The fact that more than 400 children sat down at their desks is no small merit of the Russian military, who participated in the restoration of this facility.
By the way, another 1,168 people have returned to the city over the past day, and the total number of refugees who have returned to Karabakh has already exceeded 27,000. To ensure that they experience as few problems as possible with the arrangement and feel safe, our sappers continue to clear the region of unexploded ordnance. They work not only in Stepanakert, but also on the section along the power line connecting the city of Shusha with the settlement of Lysogorsky. "During the day, more than four hectares of territory, one kilometer of roads were cleared, 17 explosive objects were found and destroyed," Konashenkov said.
Here are some more numbers from the General. In total, Russian engineering units cleared more than 38 hectares of land and more than 12 kilometers of roads in Karabakh. The military checked 117 homes and social facilities, found and defused more than 1,100 unexploded ordnance.
"With the assistance of Russian peacekeepers, the restoration of vital engineering communications continues. During the day, more than 1.8 kilometers of communication lines, 1.5 kilometers of gas pipeline, more than 1.7 kilometers of power lines, seven power transmission poles and four transformer substations were restored," Konashenkov added.
In addition, with the coordination of our military and representatives of the International Committee of the red cross, the search and exchange of bodies of the victims continues. And at the Stepanakert airport, where the special medical unit of the Eastern military district has deployed a mobile hospital, patients are already being received. They provided qualified assistance to 54 more residents of the city, including 8 children.
Yuri Gavrilov