In a notable escalation of regional tensions, a coalition of ten pro-government non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Azerbaijan has accused Armenia of assisting Russia in evading Western sanctions imposed following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Yerevan on Sept. 18 accused five Armenian citizens and two former residents of Nagorno-Karabakh of undergoing military training in Russia in order to stage an armed coup in Armenia.

The officials stated that seven Armenians were recruited to undergo a three-month-long training in Russia. These insurgents were paid monthly salaries of 220,000 rubles ($2,377) and underwent thorough background checks and polygraph tests before they were sent to “Arbat military base” in Rostov-on-Don,

A traditional Moscow ally, Armenia has pivoted to the West since the Ukraine war began, and its PM now says it could seek EU membership.