The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic ( NKR ) ( ' ) or Artsakh Republic is a de facto independent republic located in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of the South Caucasus . The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic ( NKR ) ( ' ) , or Artsakh Republic ( ' ) is a de facto independent republic located in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of the South Caucasus .