The incident involved an Azerbaijani MI-8 helicopter that was shot down by Armenian military forces while flying over the Khojavend District of Azerbaijan. This mission was a joint operation that included peacekeeping team members from Azerbaijan, Russia, and Kazakhstan, alongside journalists intending to cover the volatile situation in the region. Aboard the helicopter were 19 passengers, who unfortunately lost their lives in this tragic event.

This helicopter was part of the broader peacekeeping efforts initiated amidst the lingering conflict over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, where tensions had escalated dramatically in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The downing of the helicopter was a significant escalation in hostilities between the Armenian and Azerbaijani forces, who were vying for control of the territory that had declared independence but was internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. The shooting was viewed as a direct challenge to the ongoing negotiations for peace and contributed to the sense of insecurity that surrounded peacekeeping missions in the region.

The incident drew significant international attention and condemnation, with calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the helicopter's downing. It underscored the dangers faced by international observers and peacekeepers in conflict zones, and revealed the fragility of ceasefires and truces in areas fraught with deep-rooted ethnic and nationalistic tensions. The loss of life from the incident raised awareness about the human cost of the conflict, further complicating the pursuit of a peaceful resolution.