Eurasia Press & News
Amid intense military action in recent weeks in Nagorno-Karabakh and the ongoing conflict between Azerbaijan [backed by Turkey and Israel] and the unrecognized Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh [backed by Armenia and Russia], Turkish-made drones armaments in the Azerbaijani army reduced their activity in the skies over Karabakh and decreased significantly.
According to information provided by field sources, Baku has lost 9 Bayraktar TB2 attack drones in the last 48 hours. We remind you that the Turkish Bayraktar drone has proved quite successful in Syria and Libya, as well as in recent months in Nagorno-Karabakh, inflicting significant damage on the Armenian army and helping to control nearly 20% of the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.
According to an official representative of the Armenian Ministry of Defense, Artsrun Hovhannisyan, Armenia has put into operation an electronic warfare system [most likely Russian – ed.], which has not been used so far [for unknown reasons – ed.] , but thanks to which, in just 48 hours, Baku lost 9 attacking Bayraktar drones.
Military experts in the region describe the actions of the Armenian military as a “surprise”, but not because of the successful actions on the drones, but because of the lack of explanation why Armenia has waited and not used the systems in question so far. One logical explanation is that they were apparently delivered to Armenia very recently, and knowing who Baku’s partners are, we are most likely talking about Russia and Russian non-electronic warfare systems.
According to local sources and military analysts, the Turkish drones were “hit” by these systems, which damaged the drone’s electronics and thus disrupted the drone’s operation, especially in GPS navigation, mapping and interception or marking a specific target. A video released by the Armenian Ministry of Defense clearly shows that there are no traces of a missile strike on the drones, which is a prerequisite for the use of electronic warfare systems.
The question remains, what system is Armenia currently using to counter Turkish drone airstrikes over Nagorno-Karabakh. Artsrun Hovhannisyan does not want to give a definite or exact answer to this question, but we have known for some time that Baku is armed with the 1L222 “Avtobaza” radio intelligence system, but it has been in service for years. Also, in 2016, Baku presented at its military parade one of Moscow’s latest developments in the field of electronic warfare – Infauna K1Sh1 UNSh-12.
All this information suggests only two possibilities: either Armenia has used an existing and armed electronic warfare system, but for unknown reasons they have not been used so far, or it has received a new electronic radio complex from Russia, which may be in the process. of development, and the combat operations in Nagorno-Karabakh to be a real combat test of the system.
The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh escalated on September 27, active clashes are taking place in the disputed territory. Martial law was introduced in Azerbaijan and Armenia, and mobilization was announced. Both sides reported killed and wounded, including civilians. In Baku, they announced the control of several Karabakh villages and strategic heights. Yerevan also reports about the shelling of the territory of Armenia.
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Azerbaijan and Armenia have been in conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh since February 1988, when the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan SSR.
During the armed conflict in 1992-1994, the Azerbaijani side lost control of Nagorno-Karabakh and the seven areas adjacent to it. Since 1992, negotiations have been conducted within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group on a peaceful settlement of the conflict. The group is led by co-chairs – Russia, USA and France.
In 1994, Azerbaijan, Armenia and the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, through the mediation of Russia, signed the Bishkek Armistice Protocol. At the same time, military operations did not stop there, which periodically renewed. The most significant exacerbation of the conflict was the four-day war of 2016. Then hundreds of soldiers on both sides became victims.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, during a meeting with the President of Azerbaijan last year, called for a rhetoric that would go against the fundamental principles endorsed by both sides and enshrined in the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act when resolving the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh. At the same time, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry admitted that much more needs to be done to achieve a long-term political settlement.
