A bitter territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan is eroding Russia’s ties with a traditional ally, a crisis that could strengthen the American relationship with an erstwhile Kremlin client and possibly increase friction between the United States and its wayward NATO partner,

Armenia’s prime minister has called his country’s security relationships “ineffective,” in a swipe at Russia after Azerbaijan claimed the breakaway province of Nagorno-Karabakh following a swift military campaign.

Officials are bracing for a humanitarian crisis as Azerbaijan moves to retake control of the mountainous regions and thousands of ethnic Armenian residents leave their homes, fearing ethnic cleansing.

Thousands of Armenians are streaming out of Nagorno-Karabakh after the Azerbaijani military reclaimed full control of the separatist region

The Nagorno-Karabakh leadership said the region's 120,000 Armenians did not want to live as part of Azerbaijan for fear of persecution and ethnic cleansing. Those with fuel started to drive down the Lachin corridor.

The first refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh have arrived in Armenia after Azerbaijan conducted a lightning military offensive there, reclaiming full control of it as the result.