Ethnic Armenians accept Russia ceasefire plan after Azerbaijan offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh

Authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh accepted a ceasefire proposal made by Russian peacekeepers Wednesday, a day after Azerbaijan launched a military operation in the disputed territory.

Azerbaijan on Tuesday began what it called an "anti-terrorist" campaign against separatist forces in Nagorno-Karabakh, which local officials said killed hundreds By Wednesday night, the death toll had reached at least 200, including 10 civilians, and more than 400 injured, the office of the Ombudsman in the Armenian-controlled territory said.

Nagorno-Karabakh is a landlocked region that lies within Azerbaijan's borders. It is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but is home to around 120,000 ethnic Armenians, who make up the majority of its population and reject Azerbaijan's rule. The region has its own de-facto government which is backed by Armenia, but it is not officially recognized by Armenia or any other country.

The ceasefire was due to begin at 1 p.m. local time (5 a.m. ET) Wednesday, Nagorno-Karabakh's presidential office announced.

"An agreement was reached on the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the armed forces of Armenia from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops, the dissolution and complete disarmament of the armed formations," it said in a statement.

Azerbaijan's defense ministry said it had agreed to suspend its operation, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported.

Azerbaijan said officials would meet representatives of the Armenian community in Nagorno-Karabakh on Thursday in the city of Yevlakh, "to discuss reintegration issues under the constitution and laws of Azerbaijan."