Authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh say they have accepted a Russian-proposed ceasefire, one day after Azerbaijan launched a military operation in the contested territory. Peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia are scheduled to start Thursday. Yesterday’s attack reportedly killed close to 100 people and injured hundreds. Tensions have been growing in Nagorno-Karabakh in recent months, as Azerbaijani forces sealed off its only road linking it to Armenia, leading to major food, fuel and medical shortages, as well as accusations of genocide. Nagorno-Karabakh is overwhelmingly populated by ethnic Armenians but is recognized as Azerbaijani territory as part of a Russia-brokered ceasefire following the 2020 war. Protesters gathered in Armenia’s capital Yerevan Tuesday.

Khachatur Kobelyan: “I hope that finally they can find any solution to this problem, solution that can satisfy both sides, and we can live peacefully. That’s my opinion. I know it’s difficult. It cannot be a decision which will satisfy both sides, but we should come to that; otherwise, it will continue, and hundreds, thousands innocent people will die.”

During the protest, police used stun grenades to disperse crowds trying to enter a government building.