Shooting on the border of Armenia and Azerbaijan

1 Armenia — Azerbaijan

Clashes took place on the border of Armenia and Azerbaijan. At least 1 serviceman died. The clashes are still going on at the border. On the morning of December 9, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense announced that 1 Azerbaijani servicemen died from a shelling from Armenia. The incident took place in the Kelbajar region, which was captured by the Azerbaijanis during the 2nd Karabakh war. The Armenian Defense Ministry stated that the fight was provoked by the Azeri military, who opened fire first. In the evening, clashes at the border resumed. The Azerbaijani forces are actively shelling the Armenian military in the territory of the Gegarkunik region of Armenia.

2 Donbass

«In 2021, the Ukrainian army more than doubled the number of attacks on the territory of the LPR compared to 2020» — the head of the LPR Leonid Pasechnik stated, and added that during this week there was not a single shelling of the LPR by Ukraine so far. He added that Ukraine continues to send heavy weapons, equipment, and personnel to the contact line. The representatives of the People’s Militia of the LPR detect such build-up of military power almost every day. The head of the LPR added that Ukraine and the Donbass republics should resolve the issues via a peaceful settlement. Russia and the USA can only act as mediators in the negotiations. The LPR and the DPR leaders have repeatedly declared their readiness for the direct negotiations with Ukraine.

3 The Eu — Ukraine

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that the EU got involved in the militarization of Ukraine, which is why the negotiations on a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis have stopped. «Recently the EU joined the process of militarization of Ukraine. On 2nd of December the EU Council decided to allocate €31 millions of euros for the military-technical aid to the Ukrainian forces. Such decision doesn’t contribute to the peace in Donbass, and because of it — the negotiations on a peaceful settlement were stopped» — she explained.

4 Iraq

The Iraqi authorities have officially announced the completion of the combat missions of the international anti-terrorist coalition, and about the pulling of their combat units from Iraq — the ’’Al Sumaria’’ TV reported. The Iraqi National Security Adviser, Qassem al-Araji, clarified that the last round of negotiations with the coalition ended on Thursday. After that it became possible to announce the end of the combat mission of the international alliance. Al-Araji added that «the relations with the international coalition will continue in matters of personnel training, and consultations». On 5th of January, 2021, the Iraqi parliament adopted a resolution that demands a complete pulling of the foreign troops. On 26th of July, Joe Biden announced that the American combat units will be pulled out by the end of 2021. The Washington-Baghdad cooperation in the areas of military training and the fight against the terrorism will be continued.

5 Syria

«The illegal military presence in Syria reduces the effectiveness of the fight against the terrorists» — the RT quoted a phrase of the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Forces, Valery Gerasimov, which he said at a briefing to the military reporters of the foreign states. He added that Russia continues to fight the terrorism in Syria, and provide help in the matter of returning of the refugees, and the restoration of the infrastructure and the territorial integrity of Syria. Regarding the Idlib DMZ he stated that «a work is underway with the Turkish side to implement the existing agreements, and maintain the ceasefire».

6 Poland — Belarus

«The illegal migrants are still trying to reach Poland from Belarus» — the Polish border guard reported. «Yesterday, 80 illegal crossing attempts were recorded at the Polish-Belarusian border» — the message added. 23 refugees were expelled from Poland. The Polish Ministry of National Defense posted a video on which unknown yelling people threw various items at the Polish servicemen that guard the border — the RIA NEWS reported. The police of the Podlaskie Voivodeship reported that a Ukrainian citizen had been detained near Bielsk Podlaski. «The 35-year-old driver had 9 Iraqi citizens in his car. Previously they illegally crossed the border with Belarus» — the message stated. Constantine Reztsov, specially for the ANNA NEWS.