Massive Blast in Nagorno-Karabakh Sparks Mass Exodus and Raises Questions about Russian Peacekeepers

More than 200 people were injured in a powerful blast at a fuel storage facility in Nagorno-Karabakh, as ethnic Armenians fled the region after the Azerbaijani military regained control in a recent offensive. The cause of the explosion is unknown, but it occurred as residents were lining up for fuel to leave the area. Many feared reprisals and decided to evacuate to Armenia. The Armenian government reported that over 6,500 Nagorno-Karabakh residents had already fled. Talks between Azerbaijani officials and separatist representatives focused on humanitarian aid and medical services. The conflict between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh dates back decades, with Russia and Turkey playing influential roles.