Russia Ends Peacekeeping Mission in Karabakh as Azerbaijan Asserts Control

Russian forces, stationed in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region as peacekeepers since the cessation of hostilities in 2020, are being withdrawn, confirmed officials from both Russia and Azerbaijan. This development was announced on Wednesday, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov and Hikmet Hajiyev, head of foreign policy in Azerbaijan's presidential administration, acknowledging the move during a conference call with journalists. The specifics of the withdrawal process were not disclosed by Peskov, while Hajiyev noted the decision was mutually agreed upon by both nations.

The withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers comes after Azerbaijan regained comprehensive control over the Karabakh region last year, rendering the presence of these forces unnecessary. The region, previously under the control of ethnic Armenians, was reclaimed by Azerbaijan following a conflict in 2020. This war concluded with a Russia-mediated ceasefire agreement that positioned approximately 2,000 Russian troops in parts of Karabakh still held by Armenians. These forces were tasked with ensuring unobstructed passage along the sole road linking Karabakh with Armenia.

However, tensions escalated when Azerbaijan initiated a blockade on this critical road towards the end of 2022. The blockade was justified by allegations of its use for arms shipments and smuggling activities by Armenians, claims that led to Russian peacekeepers not intervening. The ensuing months saw Karabakh grappling with severe shortages of food and medicine due to the blockade. A swift military operation by Azerbaijan in September 2023 forced the Karabakh Armenian authorities into capitulation after just one day of negotiations facilitated by Russian forces. This operation prompted nearly all of Karabakh’s 50,000 ethnic Armenian residents to flee the region within a matter of days.

The departure of Russian peacekeeping forces marks a significant shift in the post-conflict landscape of the Karabakh region. With Azerbaijan regaining full control and the subsequent withdrawal of these troops, questions about the future stability and security of this area remain. The situation underscores the complex dynamics at play in post-conflict regions and the delicate balance required to maintain peace and order following such significant geopolitical changes.