In September 19-20, 2023, a total of 223 residents of Artsakh were killed, including 21 adult civilians and 6 children, according to Gegham Stepanyan, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia. He revealed this during a press conference at the American University of Armenia. Stepanyan also mentioned that 238 people were killed in an ammunition warehouse near Stepanakert, which is indirectly associated with the Armenian and Azerbaijani conflict. He emphasized that there are no written agreements related to the military operations and only 20 contracts were found with 21 individuals and the consequence of ammunition.

Stepanyan further discussed the denial of the Azerbaijani side regarding attempts to increase casualties in the area where the warehouse was located. He stated that these issues are not being raised in negotiations. Stepanyan, as an expert, highlighted four important topics: social and psychological rehabilitation, the return of refugees, protection of cultural and historical sites in Karabakh, and the preservation of the region’s natural and historical heritage.

The spokesperson expressed his desire to focus on another issue, which is the loss of 102,000 residents in Armenia due to the Karabakh conflict. He noted that currently, there are only around 20 Armenians left in Artsakh, with missing persons from Hadrut, Shushi, and other settlements. The remaining Armenians need permission from the Azerbaijani occupation forces to move around Stepanakert, and symbolic points have been placed near their homes for monitoring purposes.

Discussing the restoration of normal life, Stepanyan mentioned that most Artsakh residents are not eligible due to certain circumstances, and only about 10,000 inhabitants are actively participating in work. This will likely lead to a population outflow from Artsakh, despite the ineffective programs implemented by international organizations for refugee resettlement. He proposed consultations with donor countries to help preserve the presence of the Armenian people in Artsakh, emphasizing that it’s not just a humanitarian issue but also a matter of self-determination.

Regarding the preservation of cultural heritage, Stepanyan highlighted that Azerbaijan’s actions are politically motivated and aim to discredit international programs for protecting cultural heritage. He suggested that an independent committee be formed to address this matter and provide clarity on the situation.