Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russian companies should focus their attention on the transit potential in Nagorno-Karabakh. "Active reconstruction works are underway there, including road construction, so please pay more attention to this promising area, as it seems it could bring economic benefits," Lavrov said. It is important that the economic development of "this part of our closest neighborhood" takes place with Russia's active participation, Lavrov said.

Meanwhile, Russian Ambassador Sergey Kopyrkin visited Armenia's Ararat region, where he toured the village of Eraskh, among other places. Gunfights between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops occur regularly there.

On the same day it became known that about 200 employees of the Sotk gold mine, which is located exactly on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, were evacuated. The reason was said to be border shootings. The mine is operated by the Russian company "GeoProMining Gold". Since the end of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in November 2020, most of the gold mine is back under Azerbaijan's control. According to the Armenian Defense Ministry, one Armenian soldier was injured during the course of the shooting. In addition, one Azerbaijani soldier was killed and another injured, but this was not confirmed by Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry.

Azerbaijan also reported gunfire on the border with Armenia in Nakhichevan, Gadabay, and Kalbadshar on August 17. No casualties were reported.