Armenia
Border Incident
On April 28, the Armenian Defense Ministry refuted claims by the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry that Armenian forces had fired on Azerbaijani positions in the eastern border zone at 00:25.
In its statement, the Armenian Defense Ministry emphasized that the Azerbaijani report was inaccurate and reiterated that the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia had previously proposed establishing a joint Armenia-Azerbaijan mechanism to investigate ceasefire violations and related incidents, a proposal to which Baku has not yet responded. The ministry reaffirmed its readiness, in line with the Armenian Prime Minister’s position, to investigate the facts cited in Azerbaijan’s report and present them to the Armenian side for examination.

Azerbaijan
Border Incident
On April 28, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that at 00:25 local time, units of the Armenian armed forces fired small arms from positions in the Chambarak region, targeting Azerbaijani Army positions.
According to the ministry, Azerbaijani Army units responded with appropriate retaliatory measures in the same direction.

Local and International Exercises
On April 28, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry announced the completion of a training session for reservists in one of its special-purpose military units, conducted jointly with the State Service for Mobilization and Conscription as part of the ministry’s annual training plan. During the session, reservists participated in educational talks, safety briefings, and cultural events, while practical classes introduced them to small arms and military equipment, including training on their use and live-fire exercises. Tactical and reconnaissance drills followed, involving covert movements, ambush setups, and simulated enemy captures.

On the same day, training flights with Super Mushshak aircraft were conducted within Air Force units. Military pilots, after health checks and safety briefings, performed aircraft inspections and completed exercises involving takeoffs, landings, group flights, and piloting maneuvers at various altitudes.

On April 29, artillery units conducted live combat firing exercises under conditions simulating real combat, successfully targeting designated and unexpected enemy positions. The exercises focused on enhancing servicemen’s practical combat skills, commanders’ leadership abilities, and unit interoperability. Simultaneously, a training session for reservists in the Combined Arms Army continued, including the issuance of uniforms and supplies, medical checks, regulatory and safety briefings, drill training, and firing exercises with small arms and grenade launchers.

Also on April 29, the ministry reported that a group of Azerbaijani servicemen was participating in the NATO-Georgia 2025 computer-assisted tactical command-staff exercise in Georgia, aimed at improving multinational unit coordination in crisis response and small-scale joint land and cyberspace operations. The exercise, involving 17 NATO member and partner countries, will continue until May 8.

On April 30, a group of Azerbaijani Naval Forces personnel participated as observers in the KURTARAN-2025 Submarine Escape & Rescue Exercise in Marmaris, Türkiye. The exercise included submarine search operations, provision of emergency supplies by rescue divers, crew evacuations using specialized equipment, and aerial search-and-rescue activities. Azerbaijani servicemen observed parachute sea jumps, supply airdrops, and the evacuation of distressed submarine crews, with participants demonstrating high professionalism throughout the operation.

On May 1, a Mobile Training Team from NATO’s Allied Air Command arrived in Azerbaijan to deliver a course on “Planning and Conducting Air Operations” for Azerbaijani Air Force personnel.
The course aimed to familiarize participants with NATO airspace control procedures, the core principles of self-evaluation (SEL) and NATO evaluation (NEL) for flight crews under the NATO Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC), and to enhance the theoretical and practical expertise of Azerbaijani Air Force personnel. Throughout the program, working groups engaged in theoretical and practical assignments. Upon completion, participants received briefings on their activities and objectives achieved, followed by the presentation of certificates.

Azerbaijani and Turkish Military Seamen Conduct Joint Practical Sessions at Azerbaijan Naval Forces
On May 2, joint practical sessions involving Azerbaijani and Turkish military seamen were conducted aboard ships of the Azerbaijan Naval Forces.
The sessions included the Ship Training Unit of the Naval Training Center of the Azerbaijan Naval Forces and the “Yıldızlar” training group of the Turkish Naval Training Center. The primary objective was to facilitate the exchange of naval expertise between the two allied countries and enhance the combat training of their naval personnel.

Georgia
International Exercises
On April 28, the Georgian Ministry of Defense officially opened the NATO-Georgia Exercise 2025 at the Joint Military Center in Krtsanisi.
Deputy Minister of Defense Giorgi Liluashvili, Deputy Commander of the Defense Forces Major General Zaza Chkhaidze, and NATO Military Liaison Officer Colonel Berat Telli addressed the Georgian and foreign military personnel, emphasizing the exercise’s significance and wishing participants success. The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Defense, Deputy Commander of the Defense Forces Grigol Giorgadze, Brigadier General Irakli Chichinadze, representatives of the Ministry of Defense, defense attachés accredited to Georgia, Head of the NATO Liaison Office Aleksandre Vinnikov, representatives of the NATO-Georgia Substantial Package (SNGP), and the European Union Monitoring Mission.

On May 4, as part of the “NATO-Georgia Exercise 2025,” the medical company of the 1st Infantry Brigade, equipped to NATO standards, conducted a demonstration exercise at the Vaziani training base. According to the exercise scenario, wounded soldiers were evacuated by a “Didgori Medevak” vehicle to a ROLE2F field hospital, where first surgical aid and subsequent hospitalization were performed. The main objective was to enhance the professional skills of military medical personnel for effective medical support in tactical conditions, while NATO medical experts observed the operation of the deployed ROLE2F field hospital.

Georgian and Hungarian Defense Ministries Meet to Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation
On April 28, Paata Patiashvili, First Deputy Minister of Defense of Georgia, met with Tamash Varga, Deputy Minister of Defense of Hungary.
Patiashvili expressed gratitude for Hungary’s support of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and highlighted Hungary’s firm backing of Georgia’s Eurointegration efforts. The sides discussed regional security challenges and noted the positive dynamics in defense cooperation, emphasizing prospects for further deepening bilateral ties. Special attention was given to the Joint Declaration of Strategic Partnership and the defense cooperation document signed by the two countries, which provide a strong foundation for future collaboration.
During the meeting, Patiashvili briefed Varga on the implementation of initiatives under the NATO-Georgia Substantial Package, aimed at enhancing Georgia’s defense capabilities, and expressed appreciation for Hungary’s contributions to this process.

Georgia Celebrates 34th Anniversary of Defense Forces with Ceremonial Event
On April 30, the Georgian Defense Forces marked the 34th anniversary of their establishment with a festive event at the 4th Infantry Brigade’s assembly square in Vaziani.
Before the ceremony, Mikheil Kavelashvili, President of Georgia and Supreme Commander of the Defense Forces, along with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, Vice Prime Minister and Defense Minister Irakli Chikovani, and Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, laid a wreath at the heroes’ memorial within the brigade’s territory. The official ceremony began with the presentation of the Georgian national flag and the flag of the Defense Forces, followed by the national anthem and a celebratory dance performance.

All components of the Defense Forces, arranged in formation, participated in the ceremony. As part of the event, 150 new recruits took the military oath before God and the nation. These recruits will now begin assignments in military training, troop logistics, aviation, air defense bases, and the National Military Service.

President Kavelashvili, along with other high-ranking officials, including the Commander of the Defense Forces, Major General Giorgi Matiashvili, extended congratulations to the personnel. Soldiers recognized for their contributions to the country’s defense capabilities, combat readiness, and military training achievements were awarded various medals by the Ministry of Defense.

During the ceremony, the soldiers recited the soldier’s funeral pledge. The event was attended by members of the Georgian government, the Chairman of the Parliament’s Committee on Defense and Security, the Mayor of Tbilisi, representatives of the Ministry of Defense, foreign advisers, defense attachés, the NATO-Georgia Substantial Package (SNGP) Main Group, the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM), NATO Liaison Office representatives, as well as wounded soldiers and veterans. Following the official program, guests viewed military equipment and weapons displayed on the assembly square.

Georgian Ministry of Defense Signs Cooperation Agreements with Hotels to Support Military Personnel
On May 1, Paata Patiashvili, First Deputy Minister of Defense of Georgia, hosted representatives of hotels from various regions of the country as part of the Ministry of Defense’s policy to support military personnel.
During the meeting, memorandums of mutual cooperation were signed between the Ministry of Defense and hotel representatives to promote leisure opportunities for Defense Agency employees and their families. Under the agreements, military personnel, employees of the Civil Office of the Ministry of Defense, and their family members will benefit from discounts ranging from 15% to 50% at various hotels.

At this stage, the Ministry of Defense signed cooperation memorandums with the following establishments: “Grand Noel” LLC, “Hide Out Bakuriani,” “Raymond Palace,” “Emerald,” “Vardzia Resort,” “Alazni Valley,” “Park Hotel Tsandali,” “Chateau Artwine,” “Radisson Collection,” “Art House Tower,” “Samzeo Kvareli,” “Giuan,” and the chateau and winery “Mosmieri.”

This initiative was carried out with the involvement of the Department of Social Affairs and Psychological Support. The Ministry of Defense continues to maintain active partnerships with both state and private sector entities across various areas, including sports, wellness, culture, healthcare, education, and other fields.