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International Crisis Group issued another report which said that the tensions are running high between Azerbaijan and Armenia with further escalation in arms race around Karabakh conflict. The report can be found on the site of the organization.

Azerbaijan 19 June announced delivery of $1bn worth of sophisticated Russian weaponry including nearly 100 top-line T-90 tanks. 26 June a huge military parade was held in Baku which also featured air fighter sorties and demonstrated new drone capabilities. President Aliyev who presided over parade pledged if necessary to re-take all “lost territory” as well as Armenian lands.

“Unconfirmed Armenian defence ministry source countered by claiming Armenia is guarded with long-range offensive missile systems capable of hitting any target in Azerbaijan,” the report says. The ICG analysts notice that, it’s unclear if claim referred to Russian systems delivered directly to Armenian armed forces or to Russian forces in Armenia.

The document also notes that on 26 June, Nikolay Bordyuzha, the head of Russian CSTO-led military bloc and Russian NSC chief visited Yerevan and pledged arms and more support to Armenia.

The document says that the truce continues to be violated with sporadic clashes, shooting. OSCE Special Representative for Conflicts 12 June warned that simmering conflict between the two may explode.

“OSCE attempts to jump-start talks in June failed. U.S., French and Russian presidents, whose countries co-chair mediation efforts 18 June expressed regret over impasse in talks; called for sides to re-activate efforts to reach settlement,” the ICG report reads.