RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan delivered a message.

"Hello, dear compatriots, today around 13:00, the armed forces of Azerbaijan started shelling the entire territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. After some time, they also created an operation to break the line of contact in Nagorno-Karabakh and take control of positions and, according to some reports, settlements in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Of course, we are in contact with Nagorno-Karabakh, but there are specific communication problems. But the general information is that from the beginning, the Nagorno-Karabakh territory was attacked by various means, including jet artillery. Then, a ground operation was launched against Nagorno-Karabakh from several directions. During this period, Azerbaijan also carried out informational support of operations. The information that Azerbaijan officially informed the Russian Federation about the start of these operations was also strange and puzzling for us. Of course, this is Azerbaijan's version of the information, and I want to draw attention to this. Still, the fact is that we did not receive any information about this operation from our Russian partners. Of course, it is also impossible to say that this situation was unpredictable because, as I said earlier in the Government meetings, we could see the situation's tension. Also today, in the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was emphasized that the meeting held yesterday in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan with diplomatic representatives accredited in Azerbaijan was a prudent preparation for military operations against Nagorno Karabakh, and it was justified. Of course, we immediately convened an extended session of the Security Council with the participation of the President of the Republic and the President of the National Assembly, and we discussed the situation. And we must record that in this way, Azerbaijan launched the ground operation to subject the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to ethnic cleansing. And, as already stated in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement, we believe that, firstly, the peacekeeping forces of the Russian Federation should take measures. Secondly, we expect the UN Security Council to take steps as well. Of course, there are already comments during this period, unfortunately, which try to connect this ongoing process with this or that decision of Armenia. But I want to repeat once again what I have said many times: the Republic of Armenia has not given anyone a mandate to carry out ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh, and our constant problem has been and continues to be ensuring the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, and it has always been on our agenda. I consider it strange that Azerbaijan's statement that they will leave a humanitarian corridor for the civilian population to leave Nagorno-Karabakh. This is a direct act of ethnic cleansing. And what happens if they announce a so-called anti-terrorist operation and civilian infrastructure and citizens are not hit? Then the question arises: why do they tell a humanitarian corridor for people to leave Nagorno-Karabakh? About to open. If what they said had anything to do with reality, on the contrary, they should have urged the citizens to take shelter, stay in the caves, and not go out to places where they could be wounded unintentionally. And this logic, developed by Azerbaijan, clearly indicates the beginning of a specific operation of ethnic cleansing.

But I also want to assess the situation from the point of view of Armenia. First of all, as of now, the condition along the borders of Armenia is relatively stable; that is, we do not have a visible and significant change in the case. But as I said and say now, I emphasize that this operation's main and critical target and purpose is to involve the Republic of Armenia in military operations. You see, today, several Azerbaijani media and also official press, or media connected to the authorities, are spreading information that they are carrying out strikes in the direction of the units of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia, referring to Nagorno-Karabakh. And unfortunately, this same information is repeated by several of our partners who say that we call on Armenia and Azerbaijan to stop military operations.

I want to record that the Republic of Armenia is not involved in military operations. I also want to register again that the Republic of Armenia does not have an army in Nagorno-Karabakh.

And I also want to draw our public's attention to several internal and external forces that necessarily want to involve Armenia in large-scale military operations. It is visible, and we record with our position that attempts to apply the Republic of Armenia in an army escalation are unacceptable for us, and we will manage this process, as much as we understand, dear people, the emotional and many other issues of the feelings of all of us in this situation. But we should not allow some people, some forces, external and internal, to put Armenia's statehood under attack. Unfortunately, as expected, I have to record that calls for a coup d'état are already being heard from different places, even in Armenia.

Here is the statehood of Armenia, and the state must react to these conditions by the procedure established by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia. But, of course, in this situation, a lot depends on the citizens of the Republic of Armenia, the people of the Republic of Armenia, who, in my profound conviction, should treat the created situation soberly and coolly, no matter how difficult it is. It would help if you guessed that as tricky as it is for everyone, it is at least as difficult for me, for the members of the Security Council, and for the leadership of the country, but we must not take any uncalculated, any drastic action, any adventurous action at this time.

Of course, I also understand that there needs to be more information. The lack of knowledge is also because in Nagorno-Karabakh, as I mentioned, communication nodes are damaged due to artillery strikes. Therefore, there are specific difficulties in the flow of information. However, our media and authorities are in contact with Nagorno-Karabakh as far as possible. Depending on the situation, they will take the necessary measures to provide them with humanitarian assistance.

At this moment, that's all I have to say, and once again, I appeal, please; I urge you not to give in to provocations, keep calm, and follow official information and news. Of course, all possible measures will be taken so that the people of the Republic of Armenia are adequately informed of all events. And, of course, the legal system must function in complete order, and stability is maintained in the Republic of Armenia because we all understand that the disruption of the legal system and peace is the very goal set before them by the forces that act and intend to act against the Republic of Armenia:

That's all for now, dear compatriots; as necessary, I will also personally give you information on the situation and share my assessments of the problem with you and also the state bodies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other state bodies, as necessary, will issue a corresponding statement."