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Following the military aggression and the complete depopulation of Artsakh in mid-September, Azerbaijan persists in the destruction of Armenian cultural heritage based on ethnic grounds, the Artsakh Monument Watch reports.

"The confirmation of these events manifested in the collapse of the 50-meter illuminated cross on a hill near Dashushen village, close to Stepanakert. This incident not only dealt a blow to cultural heritage but also to the entire Christian Armenian community," the watchdog said.

The footage capturing the fallen cross was initially released through the Telegram channel of the Ukrainian publication Strana.ua.

The video, recorded on 29 September 2023, depicts the cross lying on the ground.

The cross, installed on May 9, 2017, served as a memorial to honor the servicemen who sacrificed their lives for the liberation and defense of Artsakh. Ranking as the second-highest in the European region, it was prominently visible from all sides of Stepanakert, the capital of Artsakh. The cross was illuminated with special lights, ensuring its visibility even during nighttime.