Arman, a young conscript from Voskevaz village, watches the Azerbaijani frontline located 30 meters from his lookout post on the Mataghis frontline, Nagorno-Karbakh.
Trenches at the Mataghis frontline. During the Karabakh war (1988-94) this area was nicknamed "whore's fishnet stockings" referencing the multitude of holes caused by heavy shelling.
Soldiers at the Mataghis frontline serve in shifts of 14 days on the frontline and 14 days at the military base during their two years of mandatory service.
Commander Artur Mgrchyan rests in his dugout. He has been serving at the Mataghis frontline in Nagorno-Karabakh for the last 5 years.
Conscripts at the controversial Yeghnikner military base in Nagorno-Karabakh where instances of physical abuse and non-combat deaths have marred the bases' reputation.
Conscripts during a missile launching exersize in Southern Nagorno Karabakh.
A soldier staffs a communications point at the Mataghis frontline, near Martakert, Nagorno-Karabakh.
"130 days left" scribbled on the wall on the inside of a lookout point at the border with Iran, Southern Nagorno-Karabakh.
Colonel Alik Sargsyan walks the trenches. He has been a soldier since the Karabakh independence movement began in 1988. He was taken hostage and was a prisoner of war for a year and half before being released.
On the exposed portion of the road on the way to the Mataghis frontline is partially fortified against Azerbaijani gunfire by large metal canisters, tires and hay.
6am, morning calisthenics, at the Jebrail military base in Southern Nagorno-Karabakh.
In two-hour shifts, a statuesque "honorary soldier" guards the flag of the Mataghis military unit at headquarters near Martakert, Nagorno-Karabakh.
Lunchtime at the Jebrail military base in Southern Nagorno-Karabakh.
A young conscript on clean-up duty at the Jebrail military base in Southern Nagorno-Karabakh.
Yeghnikner military base, Nagorno-Karabakh.
A soldier staffs a communications point at the frontline near Jebrail military base, Southern Nagorno-Karabakh.
On the walls of a dugout on the Mataghis frontline hangs a religious poster discouraging violence among the military ranks, a soldier's hat and jacket, and a copy of the official military newspaper.
Conscripts during the daily exercise regimen at the Yeghnikner military base, Nagorno-Karabakh.
Soldier on night patrol at the Yeghnikner frontline, across from the Gyulistan, Azerbaijan frontline. Soldiers take 2 hour shifts - patrolling for 2 hours and sleeping for 2 hours.
Nagorno-Karabakh defense minister Movses Hakobyan (seated left) with commanders at the Yeghnikner military base.
Colonel Alik Sargsyan watches the Azerbaijani frontline located 30 meters from his position at a lookout post, with young conscript Arman in the background.
Conscripts at the Yeghnikner military base, Nagorno-Karabakh.