MOSCOW. Dec 9 (Interfax) - Russian peacekeepers have conducted engineering reconnaissance and have demined the southern outskirts of Stepanakert, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
"Over the past day, about five hectares of land and 1.5 kilometers of roads were cleared, and 444 explosive devices were detected and destroyed," the statement said.
In all, engineering units have demined over 66 hectares of land, more than 23 kilometers of roads, and 129 homes and social facilities in Nagorno-Karabakh. They also found and destroyed over 4,500 explosive devices, the ministry said.
According to the ministry, explosive devices, such as abandoned or dud munitions, are taken to a designated range and destroyed. Munitions that cannot be moved are neutralized on site with due safety precautions. Russian sappers are using the Uran-6 multifunctional robotic complex, which provides full security of servicemen and enhances productivity of the mine action, the statement said.
"Servicemen of the Russian Defense Ministry's International Mine Action Center are continuing their mission in the zone of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh. Russian peacekeepers are providing the safe return of citizens to places of their permanent residence, are rendering humanitarian aid, and are rebuilding civilian and engineering infrastructure," the ministry said.
Crucial utilities are being rebuilt in the war-torn areas with the assistance of Russian peacekeepers. Two pillars and over 1.5 kilometers of power lines were restored over the past day, the ministry said.