Azerbaijan Escalates Tensions with Russia Over Downed Passenger Plane

Azerbaijan has mandated the closure of the BBC's office in Baku, prompting condemnation from the British broadcaster as a significant setback for press freedom. According to Ayahan Hajizade, a spokesman for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, the decision was made due to the absence of "legal grounds" for the BBC's operations, asserting that Baku's actions are based on "reciprocity." This closure follows long-standing accusations against President Ilham Aliyev's administration for suppressing media and persecuting dissenting voices. In a statement, the BBC expressed regret over the decision, stating it would impede their ability to report effectively from Azerbaijan, where they have maintained a presence since 1994. The broadcaster's Azeri language service reaches approximately one million people weekly. Reporters Without Borders has classified Azerbaijan as one of the most challenging environments for media, noting that virtually all media outlets are under government control. The Azerbaijani government has indicated similar actions against other foreign media organizations, although details remain limited.

Tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia escalated recently following the downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet that resulted in the deaths of 38 people on December 25 near Aktau, Kazakhstan. Following the incident, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev accused Russia of inadvertently shooting down the plane with its air defenses and criticized Moscow for delaying the acknowledgment of the event, which he deemed "surprise, regret, and rightful indignation" in Baku. According to the Azerbaijani news agency APA, Baku is preparing to appeal to an international court unless Russia accepts responsibility for the crash. The report suggests that Azerbaijan has gathered evidence regarding the incident and remains frustrated by Moscow's silence. "We would have expected Russia to publicly take responsibility," an anonymous Azerbaijani official stated. Relations have further deteriorated as Azerbaijan demanded the closure of a Russian cultural center in Baku and provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine. This standoff comes amid growing fears of Russian instability following its invasion of Ukraine, with more former Soviet states reevaluating their ties to Moscow, as noted by analysts.

Azerbaijan has intensified its standoff with Russia after the downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet, which crashed on December 25 in Kazakhstan, resulting in 38 fatalities. According to President Ilham Aliyev, the plane was likely shot down by Russian air defense, a claim supported by Western experts who stated it sustained external damage. Following the incident, Aliyev accused Russia of attempting to "hush up" the matter, prompting an apology from President Vladimir Putin, who did not take responsibility. Reports from the Azerbaijani government suggest preparations to appeal to an "international court" unless Russia admits culpability, with the news agency APA asserting that evidence of Russia’s involvement is being gathered. Tensions escalated further when Azerbaijan ordered the Russian House cultural center in Baku to close. The situation reflects a broader trend of declining Russian influence in former Soviet states, as Azerbaijan, powered by its recent victories in regional conflicts and energy deals, grows bolder in challenging Moscow’s authority. Analysts indicate this could lead to continued turbulence in bilateral relations unless Russia takes corrective actions.