themoscowtimes--2020-10-11--Police break up Belarus opposition protest with water cannon, stun grenades

Police deployed water cannon and stun grenades against opposition demonstrators in Minsk Sunday after strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko raised hopes for change by meeting jailed opposition figures .
Large numbers of black-clad masked police , internal troops and men in plain clothes emerged from unmarked minibuses and ran towards protesters in the capital Minsk , pulling some to the ground and hitting them with batons , witness footage on independent news sites showed .
In one video , filmed by a reporter for the Nasha Niva independent newspaper , internal troops appear to run towards demonstrators while threatening them with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , water cannon and stun grenades were used , '' interior ministry spokeswoman Olga Chemodanova told AFP .
She said that the number of detainees would only be released Monday , while the Viasna rights group , which monitors detentions at political protests , said at least 140 people had been detained in Minsk as well as around 30 in other cities .
Among those detained were journalists from Russia 's TASS state news agency , although they were later released , the agency reported .
Protesters have gathered every weekend since Lukashenko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a popular opposition candidate , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who claims to have been the true winner .
The European Union and the United States have refused to recognize Lukashenko 's inauguration for a sixth term , saying the polls were not free and fair and condemning alleged abuse and torture of detained protesters .
The United States and the EU have also hit Belarus with sanctions for allegedly rigging the vote and orchestrating the crackdown on protesters , targeting key officials — but not Lukashenko himself .
Protesters came out with umbrellas on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a series of mass protests urging Lukashenko to step down , called the `` March of Pride '' .
Independent media reported that several thousand people were taking part in scattered demonstrations as police blocked roads in the city centre .
The protest came after the 66-year-old authoritarian leader , in power since 1994 , on Saturday took the unusual step of visiting a group of recently jailed opposition politicians .
Officially , the meetings were over Lukashenko 's plans for constitutional reforms , which he has presented as a response to public @ @ @ @

Police deployed water cannon and stun grenades against opposition demonstrators in Minsk Sunday after strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko raised hopes for change by meeting jailed opposition figures.
Large numbers of black-clad masked police, internal troops and men in plain clothes emerged from unmarked minibuses and ran towards protesters in the capital Minsk, pulling some to the ground and hitting them with batons, witness footage on independent news sites showed.
In one video, filmed by a reporter for the Nasha Niva independent newspaper, internal troops appear to run towards demonstrators while threatening them with guns.
"In Minsk at least, water cannon and stun grenades were used," interior ministry spokeswoman Olga Chemodanova told AFP.
She said that the number of detainees would only be released Monday, while the Viasna rights group, which monitors detentions at political protests, said at least 140 people had been detained in Minsk as well as around 30 in other cities.
Among those detained were journalists from Russia's TASS state news agency, although they were later released, the agency reported.
Protesters have gathered every weekend since Lukashenko claimed victory in Aug. 9 elections over a popular opposition candidate, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who claims to have been the true winner.
The European Union and the United States have refused to recognize Lukashenko's inauguration for a sixth term, saying the polls were not free and fair and condemning alleged abuse and torture of detained protesters.
The United States and the EU have also hit Belarus with sanctions for allegedly rigging the vote and orchestrating the crackdown on protesters, targeting key officials — but not Lukashenko himself.
Protesters came out with umbrellas on a rainy afternoon for the latest in a series of mass protests urging Lukashenko to step down, called the "March of Pride".
Independent media reported that several thousand people were taking part in scattered demonstrations as police blocked roads in the city centre.
Protester's head bandaged
The protest came after the 66-year-old authoritarian leader, in power since 1994, on Saturday took the unusual step of visiting a group of recently jailed opposition politicians.
Officially, the meetings were over Lukashenko's plans for constitutional reforms, which he has presented as a response to public demands for change.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-12--Russia Expels 2 Bulgarian Diplomats in Tit-for-Tat Move

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Bulgarian ambassador Atanas Krystin was summoned to be informed that the two Moscow-based diplomats had been declared `` personae non gratae . ''
Russia said on Monday it was expelling two Bulgarian diplomats in a tit-for-tat move after two Russians were ordered out of the EU country on accusations of spying for the military .
`` This step is a tit-for-tat 'retaliatory ' response to an unwarranted decision of the Bulgarian authorities to expel from the country in September two representatives of Russia 's trade mission in Sofia , '' the ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it had expelled the two Russians on accusations of spying on the military .
Moscow at the time said it viewed the decision as a `` deliberate attempt to harm constructive Russia-Bulgaria cooperation . ''
The Bulgarian public prosecutor alleged the Russians had been seeking out classified information on military modernization plans since 2016 .
The controversy is likely to worsen traditionally warm but now fraying relations between the two countries after last year saw the ejection of three other Russian diplomats over allegations of obtaining classified information .
A former Warsaw Pact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retains military hardware dating from that era and is now modernising to conform with NATO guidelines after joining the Western alliance in 2004 .

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Bulgarian ambassador Atanas Krystin was summoned to be informed that the two Moscow-based diplomats had been declared "personae non gratae."
Russia said on Monday it was expelling two Bulgarian diplomats in a tit-for-tat move after two Russians were ordered out of the EU country on accusations of spying for the military.
"This step is a tit-for-tat 'retaliatory' response to an unwarranted decision of the Bulgarian authorities to expel from the country in September two representatives of Russia's trade mission in Sofia," the ministry said.
In September, Bulgaria said it had expelled the two Russians on accusations of spying on the military.
Moscow at the time said it viewed the decision as a "deliberate attempt to harm constructive Russia-Bulgaria cooperation."
The Bulgarian public prosecutor alleged the Russians had been seeking out classified information on military modernization plans since 2016.
The controversy is likely to worsen traditionally warm but now fraying relations between the two countries after last year saw the ejection of three other Russian diplomats over allegations of obtaining classified information.
A former Warsaw Pact ally of Moscow, Bulgaria's military retains military hardware dating from that era and is now modernising to conform with NATO guidelines after joining the Western alliance in 2004.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-12--Media Mogul Lebedev Seeks ‘Lord of Moscow’ Title in UK – Reports

Queen Elizabeth II conferred a lifetime peerage to Lebedev , 40 , the extravagant friend of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and owner of Britain ’ s Independent and Evening Standard newspapers , in July .
Russian-British media mogul Yevgeny Lebedev is seeking to be the first member of the House of Lords with “ Moscow ” as his territorial designation , The Daily Mail newspaper reported Sunday .
Lebedev ’ s introduction into the House of Lords , the upper house of British parliament , has met a delay over his request to have “ Moscow ” in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A heraldic authority that keeps a public record of British peers must reportedly make a formal request to the Russian government before he can be awarded the “ Lord Lebedev of Moscow ” title .
“ So before Lebedev can take his place at the Lords , the Kremlin has to sign off the title , ” The Daily Mail reported .
It is “ highly unusual ” for peers to request a foreign location as their required territorial designation , the newspaper said .
The Kremlin has not yet commented on Lebedev @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s daily press briefing .
Lebedev is the son of ex-KGB agent turned business tycoon Alexander Lebedev .
The senior Lebedev was reportedly one of the figures investigated as part of the British Parliament ’ s intelligence committee report on alleged Kremlin interference in the 2016 Brexit referendum .
The report concluded that British government and intelligence agencies failed to investigate reports of Russian interference .

Queen Elizabeth II conferred a lifetime peerage to Lebedev, 40, the extravagant friend of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and owner of Britain’s Independent and Evening Standard newspapers, in July.
Russian-British media mogul Yevgeny Lebedev is seeking to be the first member of the House of Lords with “Moscow” as his territorial designation, The Daily Mail newspaper reported Sunday.
Lebedev’s introduction into the House of Lords, the upper house of British parliament, has met a delay over his request to have “Moscow” in his title, according to the Mail.
A heraldic authority that keeps a public record of British peers must reportedly make a formal request to the Russian government before he can be awarded the “Lord Lebedev of Moscow” title.
“So before Lebedev can take his place at the Lords, the Kremlin has to sign off the title,” The Daily Mail reported.
It is “highly unusual” for peers to request a foreign location as their required territorial designation, the newspaper said.
The Kremlin has not yet commented on Lebedev's reported request, including during Monday’s daily press briefing.
Lebedev is the son of ex-KGB agent turned business tycoon Alexander Lebedev.
The senior Lebedev was reportedly one of the figures investigated as part of the British Parliament’s intelligence committee report on alleged Kremlin interference in the 2016 Brexit referendum. The report concluded that British government and intelligence agencies failed to investigate reports of Russian interference.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-12--Russian Military Attempts to Disperse Syria Protesters With Helicopter Fly-Over

Dozens of residents of Ayn Diwar village near the Turkish border took to the streets to oppose the Russian forces ’ fifth attempt to establish a military outpost there , according to the North Press Agency .
They reportedly blocked 11 armored vehicles from a Russian military police patrol .
A Russian military transport helicopter has been filmed dispersing protesters rallying against Russia ’ s expansion into northeast Syria on Sunday , local independent media reported .
Russian helicopter disperses protest by villagers in Derik , northeast Syria , against Russian presence there Derik - Solnar Muhammad - North Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the village told North Press that Russian forces refused to leave , while Russian helicopters flew at a low altitude in an attempt to disperse the protesters , ” it said .
“ Residents say that they don ’ t trust the Russian forces , ” the news agency added .
Video showed a military transport helicopter hovering just above the demonstrators ’ heads , kicking up dust as they raised their hands in protest .
A translator accompanying the Russian forces told residents that they plan to stay at Ayn Diwar for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the report .
Russia is a key ally of Damascus , which has recaptured most of its territory after nine years of civil war and a jihadist invasion .
It was unclear who won Sunday ’ s standoff .
Villagers near Ayn Diwar have succeeded in fending off Russian efforts to establish bases in at least two reported cases last month .
Russian forces withdrew from Borza in late September , according to North Press , and from Sarmsakh earlier that month following protests by local residents , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The Syrian Kurds are trying to tell Russia that on their home turf , they and not Moscow or Damascus call the shots , ” Mideast expert Nicholas Heras told VOA at the time .
Russia has stepped into northeastern Syria following a Turkish-led offensive against U.S.-backed Kurdish forces and a partial U.S. troop withdrawal from the area .

Dozens of residents of Ayn Diwar village near the Turkish border took to the streets to oppose the Russian forces’ fifth attempt to establish a military outpost there, according to the North Press Agency. They reportedly blocked 11 armored vehicles from a Russian military police patrol.
A Russian military transport helicopter has been filmed dispersing protesters rallying against Russia’s expansion into northeast Syria on Sunday, local independent media reported .
Russian helicopter disperses protest by villagers in Derik, northeast Syria, against Russian presence there Derik - Solnar Muhammad - North Press https://t.co/sLcNa3cI4I pic.twitter.com/G1jgHaDRWN
“Residents in the village told North Press that Russian forces refused to leave, while Russian helicopters flew at a low altitude in an attempt to disperse the protesters,” it said.
“Residents say that they don’t trust the Russian forces,” the news agency added.
Video showed a military transport helicopter hovering just above the demonstrators’ heads, kicking up dust as they raised their hands in protest.
A translator accompanying the Russian forces told residents that they plan to stay at Ayn Diwar for two weeks to train Syrian government troops, according to the report. Russia is a key ally of Damascus, which has recaptured most of its territory after nine years of civil war and a jihadist invasion.
It was unclear who won Sunday’s standoff.
Villagers near Ayn Diwar have succeeded in fending off Russian efforts to establish bases in at least two reported cases last month.
Russian forces withdrew from Borza in late September, according to North Press, and from Sarmsakh earlier that month following protests by local residents, according to the U.S.-funded Voice of America broadcaster.
“The Syrian Kurds are trying to tell Russia that on their home turf, they and not Moscow or Damascus call the shots,” Mideast expert Nicholas Heras told VOA at the time.
Russia has stepped into northeastern Syria following a Turkish-led offensive against U.S.-backed Kurdish forces and a partial U.S. troop withdrawal from the area.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-12--Russia Simplifies Citizenship for Foreigners With Russian Children

All alien parents residing in Russia at the time of application can now forgo the five-year residence requirement .
Previously @ @ @ @ @ with disabilities were eligible for the residence requirement waiver .
Foreign-born parents of Russian citizens @ @ @ @ @ now obtain Russian citizenship through a simplified naturalization procedure , according to a new amendment @ @ @ @ @ .
The revision also includes a simplified citizenship application procedure for applicants who are native @ @ @ @ @ measure is part of Russia ’ s wide-ranging immigration reforms proposed by President Vladimir Putin @ @ @ @ @ are expected to bolster immigration , which in turn would compensate for Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ also includes a biometric registration requirement for all foreigners and stateless persons as a means @ @ @ @ @ entering the country , the state-run TASS news agency reported .
Earlier this year , @ @ @ @ @ to require all foreigners intending to stay in Russia for over 30 days to obtain @ @ @ @ @ ' fingerprints and other personal data .

All alien parents residing in Russia at the time of application can now forgo the five-year residence requirement. Previously, only parents of children with disabilities were eligible for the residence requirement waiver.
Foreign-born parents of Russian citizens over 18 years old can now obtain Russian citizenship through a simplified naturalization procedure, according to a new amendment that comes into force Monday.
The revision also includes a simplified citizenship application procedure for applicants who are native Russian speakers.
The latest measure is part of Russia’s wide-ranging immigration reforms proposed by President Vladimir Putin in 2018. The reforms are expected to bolster immigration, which in turn would compensate for Russia’s demographic decline.
The reform also includes a biometric registration requirement for all foreigners and stateless persons as a means of preventing known terrorists from entering the country, the state-run TASS news agency reported.
Earlier this year, the Interior Ministry announced plans to require all foreigners intending to stay in Russia for over 30 days to obtain ID cards containing the individuals' fingerprints and other personal data.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-12--Belarus Businessmen Granted House Arrest After Lukashenko Prison Visit

State television late Sunday said that Yury Voskresensky — a businessman with ties to a top Lukashenko critic — and Dmitry Rabtsevich , head of Minsk office of software company PandaDoc , had been released from jail .
Belarus authorities have released from jail and moved to house arrest two entrepreneurs with links to the opposition , after President Alexander Lukashenko held a surprise meeting with jailed critics in prison at the weekend .
Both men took part in an unexpected meeting in a jail run by the KGB security service between Lukashenko and critics jailed in the run-up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The meeting , which state media said lasted some four-and-half-hours , was ostensibly set up to discuss plans for constitutional reforms .
Speaking to Belarusian television , Rabtsevich said the purpose of the meeting was to `` build dialogue '' and find a way out of the current stalemate .
A photo posted by Lukashenko 's press service showed prisoners who attended also included Viktor Babaryko , a banker once seen as the strongman 's toughest rival in August elections , lawyer Liliya Vlasova and Vitali Shkliarov , a Belarusian-U.S. strategist .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has been in prison since June .
Unprecedented protests broke out after Lukashenko claimed victory in Aug. 9 elections over a popular opposition candidate , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who claims to have been the true winner .
All top Lukashenko critics were either jailed or forced out of the country , including Tikhanovskaya who was granted shelter in EU member Lithuania .
But hopes for change after Lukashenko 's meeting with his jailed opponents were dashed Sunday when police deployed water cannon and stun grenades and detained hundreds of demonstrators at an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tactics used by police were some of the harshest tactics seen since the election .
Viasna rights group said 600 people had been detained in Belarus on Sunday .
During the first days of post-election protests riot police detained thousands of demonstrators who have reported torture and abuse in custody , prompting international condemnation and Western sanctions .
Several people have died in the crackdown .
Lukashenko has dismissed opposition calls for his resignation and sought help from Russia 's President Vladimir Putin , who has promised military backup and economic aid .

State television late Sunday said that Yury Voskresensky — a businessman with ties to a top Lukashenko critic — and Dmitry Rabtsevich, head of Minsk office of software company PandaDoc, had been released from jail.
Belarus authorities have released from jail and moved to house arrest two entrepreneurs with links to the opposition, after President Alexander Lukashenko held a surprise meeting with jailed critics in prison at the weekend.
Both men took part in an unexpected meeting in a jail run by the KGB security service between Lukashenko and critics jailed in the run-up to and after August's disputed presidential election.
The meeting, which state media said lasted some four-and-half-hours, was ostensibly set up to discuss plans for constitutional reforms.
Speaking to Belarusian television, Rabtsevich said the purpose of the meeting was to "build dialogue" and find a way out of the current stalemate.
A photo posted by Lukashenko's press service showed prisoners who attended also included Viktor Babaryko, a banker once seen as the strongman's toughest rival in August elections, lawyer Liliya Vlasova and Vitali Shkliarov, a Belarusian-U.S. strategist.
Voskresensky is closely associated with Babaryko, who has been in prison since June.
Unprecedented protests broke out after Lukashenko claimed victory in Aug. 9 elections over a popular opposition candidate, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who claims to have been the true winner.
All top Lukashenko critics were either jailed or forced out of the country, including Tikhanovskaya who was granted shelter in EU member Lithuania.
But hopes for change after Lukashenko's meeting with his jailed opponents were dashed Sunday when police deployed water cannon and stun grenades and detained hundreds of demonstrators at an opposition march.
Activists said that the tactics used by police were some of the harshest tactics seen since the election. Viasna rights group said 600 people had been detained in Belarus on Sunday.
During the first days of post-election protests riot police detained thousands of demonstrators who have reported torture and abuse in custody, prompting international condemnation and Western sanctions.
Several people have died in the crackdown.
Lukashenko has dismissed opposition calls for his resignation and sought help from Russia's President Vladimir Putin, who has promised military backup and economic aid.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-12--Oil Spill Hits Major Siberian River

Oil Spill Hits Major Siberian River

The Kezhemsky district in the Krasnoyarsk region announced a local emergency Friday days after a barge operated by a local timber company spilled around 500 liters of diesel fuel into a major river .
A Siberian region has declared a state of emergency and law enforcement officers opened an investigation into an oil spill believed to have been caused by a barge , authorities have said .
According to investigators , a damaged tank on board the Priangarsky Timber Processing Complex ’ s transport barge ruptured on the Angara River on Oct. 2 .
The spill poses “ a substantial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Siberia ’ s transport investigators said in a statement Sunday .
Investigators have opened a criminal case into the mishandling of environmentally hazardous substances .
The charges carry a prison sentence of up to two years .
Authorities searched the timber company ’ s offices , questioned its management and the ship ’ s crew .
The Angara is the only river to flow out of Lake Baikal and is the headwater tributary of the Yenisei River .
The state of emergency follows a litany of environmental disasters to hit Russia in 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Arctic , massive wildfires in Siberia and a mysterious die-off of nearly all seabed marine life along the coast of the Far East Kamchatka peninsula .

The Kezhemsky district in the Krasnoyarsk region announced a local emergency Friday days after a barge operated by a local timber company spilled around 500 liters of diesel fuel into a major river.
A Siberian region has declared a state of emergency and law enforcement officers opened an investigation into an oil spill believed to have been caused by a barge, authorities have said .
According to investigators, a damaged tank on board the Priangarsky Timber Processing Complex’s transport barge ruptured on the Angara River on Oct. 2.
The spill poses “a substantial health and environmental threat,” western Siberia’s transport investigators said in a statement Sunday.
Investigators have opened a criminal case into the mishandling of environmentally hazardous substances. The charges carry a prison sentence of up to two years.
Authorities searched the timber company’s offices, questioned its management and the ship’s crew.
The Angara is the only river to flow out of Lake Baikal and is the headwater tributary of the Yenisei River.
The state of emergency follows a litany of environmental disasters to hit Russia in 2020, including a massive diesel fuel spill in the Arctic, massive wildfires in Siberia and a mysterious die-off of nearly all seabed marine life along the coast of the Far East Kamchatka peninsula.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-12--New Armenia-Azerbaijan Clashes as Ceasefire Fails to Hold

An AFP correspondent in the Azerbaijani town of Barda not far from the front line heard thumping echoes of shelling Monday morning .
Armenian and Azerbaijani forces were engaged in new clashes overnight and Monday morning , AFP correspondents said , as the two sides accused each other of violating a Russian-brokered ceasefire over the Nagorno-Karabakh region .
In Karabakh 's main city of Stepanakert , an AFP photographer heard the sounds of shelling from the direction of the town of Hadrut .
The worst fighting in almost three decades erupted last month over Nagorno-Karabakh , a breakaway region of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war but which is not recognized by any state .
The Azerbaijani defense ministry accused Armenian forces of not complying with a ceasefire agreement negotiated in marathon talks in Moscow last week overseen by Russia .
`` Armenian armed forces , which did not comply with the humanitarian truce , repeatedly tried to attack the positions of the Azerbaijan army , '' the ministry said .
It said it had destroyed a `` large number of enemy forces '' as well as one T-72 tank and three Grad multiple rocket launchers .
Armenian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her part that Azerbaijan was `` now intensively shelling the southern front . ''
Armenia claimed that `` the adversary suffered great losses of manpower and military equipment '' but did not provide further details .
After 11 hours of talks between the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers in Moscow , the arch enemies agreed early Saturday to a humanitarian ceasefire .
But the truce has not held .
Both sides have exchanged accusations of intensive shelling of civilian areas and escalating two weeks of fierce clashes .
The 1990s war — which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not present a long-term solution to the conflict — resulted in the deaths of some 30,000 people .
Nearly 500 people including more than 60 civilians , have been killed in the latest fihting since last month , according to a tally based on tolls given by both sides .

Armenia and Azerbaijan have for the last two weeks engaged in bitter clashes over Nagorno-Karabakh, a breakaway region of Azerbaijan controlled by Armenians after a 1990s war and whose independence is recognized by no other state.
Russia on Monday urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to immediately start observing a ceasefire agreed over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region as intense fighting between the two Caucasus rivals cast fresh doubt over the accord.
The fighting, the worst since a 1994 ceasefire, has sparked fears of a regional conflict with Turkey backing Azerbaijan, Armenia seeking to pull ex-Soviet ally Russia in on its side and Iran looking on warily.
After 11 hours of talks between the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers in Moscow, the two sides agreed early Saturday to a humanitarian ceasefire.
But repeated clashes have so far made a mockery of the truce deal, with both sides Monday accusing the other of repeated violations.
"We expect that the decisions that have been adopted will be rigorously observed by both parties," said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow after hosting his Armenian counterpart Zohrab Mnatsakanyan.
He said the truce — whose immediate aim was to exchange prisoners and the bodies of people killed — had to be implemented on the ground and work was underway to ensure verification mechanisms were in place.
Lavrov said he believed the "all-night vigil" that clinched the ceasefire would "not be in vain" and that the issue could be resolved on the ground "in the nearest time."
Mutual accusations
An AFP correspondent in the Azerbaijani town of Barda not far from the front line heard thumping echoes of shelling Monday morning and the noise intensified further in the afternoon.
In Karabakh's main city of Stepanakert, an AFP photographer heard the sounds of shelling from the direction of the town of Hadrut.
"Armenian armed forces, which did not comply with the humanitarian truce, repeatedly tried to attack the positions of the Azerbaijan army," the Azerbaijani defense ministry said.
It said a "large number of enemy forces" had been destroyed as well as one T-72 tank and three Grad multiple rocket launchers.
Armenian defense ministry spokeswoman Shushan Stepanyan said Azerbaijan was "now intensively shelling the southern front."
Armenia said Karabakh forces had shot down an Azerbaijani fighter jet but the claim was dismissed as "nonsense" by the Azerbaijani defense ministry.
The 1990s war — which ended with the 1994 ceasefire that did not present a long-term solution to the conflict — resulted in the deaths of about 30,000 people.
Nearly 500 people including more than 60 civilians, have been killed in the latest fighting since last month, according to a tally based on tolls given by both sides.
Analysts have long warned that Nagorno-Karabakh was the most combustible of the frozen conflicts left over after the fall of the Soviet Union, with Azerbaijan vowing to regain control of the territory and Armenians insisting they would never cede ground.
The EU's diplomatic chief Josep Borrell said on Sunday he was concerned by "reports of continued military activities, including against civilian targets, as well as civilian casualties" in violation of the ceasefire.
Turkish support?
The so far fruitless, decades-long search for a settlement over Karabakh has been overseen by the Minsk Group of world and regional powers chaired by senior diplomats from France, Russia and the United States.
Mnatsakanyan was due to meet the Minsk Group co-chairs in Moscow after his discussions with Lavrov.
Renewed fighting has stoked fears of a full-blown war embroiling Turkey, which strongly backs Azerbaijan and has been accused by Paris and Moscow of sending pro-Ankara Syrian militiamen to help Baku.
Lavrov said Monday that his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu had in telephone talks expressed his support for the Moscow ceasefire deal.
Russia has a military base in Armenia and counts Yerevan as an ally in the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
However the Kremlin has kept its distance from Armenian encouragement to become involved, saying that the CSTO treaty does not extend to Karabakh.
Iran, which has warm relations with Armenia and is wary of Baku's military cooperation with Israel, has also expressed alarm over the reports of Syrian militia being sent to Azerbaijan.
Iran's foreign ministry expressed regret "over the violation of the announced ceasefire," urging both sides to resume talks.