Russian peacekeeping forces on way to Karabakh

Russian ''Novosti'' Agency, RIA, quoted Russian Defense Ministry today morning as saying that Russian ''peacekeeping'' forces columns set from Armenian territories towards Karabakh.  

Russian ''peacekeeping'' forces have begun a march of more than 250 km, after they were transferred from Russia to Armenia on board Russian military cargo aircrafts, on Tuesday.

The forces would be deployed to and set up observation posts on frontlines with Karabakh across ''Lachin Corridor'' that connects Karabakh with Armenian territories. 

This step comes according to the agreement signed at Tuesday dawn between leaders of  Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia to end war in Karabakh.

Russian Defence Ministry said earlier that it's ''peacekeeping'' forces in Karabakh are made up of 1960 soldiers, 90 armoured vehicles and 380 other military equipment.  

In a relevant context, Russian Foreign Ministry stressed yesterday that non forces would be deployed except for ''Russian peacekeeping forces'', in Karabakh after a ceasefire agreement was signed by Moscow, Baku and Yerevan to stop fighting in the area.

Spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Maria Zakharova, stated that joint Russian-Turkish peacekeeping centre to monitor the Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire has no relation with Russian ''peacekeeping'' force there.

L.A.