YEREVAN, November 16. /ARKA/. Armenia has asked today Russia to protect its sovereign territory from the attack of Azerbaijani troops,  Secretary of the Security Council  Armen  Grigoryan said to the Public TV.

"Since the attack was carried out on the sovereign territory of Armenia, according to the agreement of 1997, we appeal to the Russian Federation with a request to protect the territorial integrity of Armenia. This is an oral appeal, now a written one is being prepared," he noted.

In his words, Russia is expected to provide assistance and Armenia will  restore its territorial integrity.

Armenia’s Ministry of Defense said the situation on an eastern section of the border with Azerbaijan was extremely tense as of 14.30.

“Local battles are being fought. The enemy is artillery, armored vehicles and small arms of various calibers,” it said.

According to the daily ‘Haykakan Zhamanak’, ten Armenian soldiers were killed in today’s battles.-0-