Azerbaijan News

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.

Azerbaijan is intensifying its diplomatic standoff with Russia following the downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane on December 25 in Kazakhstan, which resulted in the deaths of 38 individuals. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev accused Russia of accidentally shooting down the aircraft with its defense systems and criticized the Kremlin for its lack of accountability. According to a report from the APA news agency, Baku is preparing to appeal to “an international court” unless Moscow acknowledges its role in the incident. Tensions escalated when Azerbaijan ordered the closure of the Russian House cultural center in Baku, a move seen as retaliation. Azerbaijani officials expressed frustration over Russia's silence and lack of responsibility for the crash, stating, "We would have expected Russia to publicly take responsibility... Instead, Russia just ignores the crash." Analysts suggest that the incident underscores Russia's weakening influence in former Soviet states, as Azerbaijan grows confident following its recent military successes against Armenia and its increasing economic ties with the West.

A preliminary investigation into the crash of Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243, which killed 38 people on Christmas Day, has revealed potential external damage to the aircraft, suggesting it may have been struck by a missile. The Embraer 190, carrying 67 people, crash-landed near Aktau airport in Kazakhstan after flying from Baku to Grozny, Russia. According to a senior Azerbaijani official, the damage on the aircraft is believed to have resulted from a Russian surface-to-air missile, specifically a Pantsir-S system. The report, published on a Kazakh government website, noted extensive damage including punctures in the tail section and hydraulic system interference but has not yet confirmed the exact cause of the incident. The investigation is being conducted under global aviation standards aimed at learning from such tragedies rather than assigning blame. Russian authorities have initiated their own investigation into the crash, with President Vladimir Putin expressing condolences to Azerbaijan’s leadership regarding the incident.

Recent investigations by Russian sources indicate that Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 was likely downed by a missile launched from a Pantsir-S1 air defense system that was transferred from Syria to Russia. This development was reported by Azerbaijan-based news channel AnewZ and has been shared with European outlets for the first time. The incident occurred on December 25 as the aircraft was approaching Grozny, leading to significant control malfunctions and ultimately crashing near Aktau airport in Kazakhstan. Reports suggest that electronic warfare systems were employed against the aircraft, affecting its navigation. Russian investigators have purportedly identified both the individual who fired the missile and the officer who provided the launch order. Azerbaijan's government has reacted strongly, demanding accountability from Russia, with possible recourse to international courts if necessary. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev outlined three demands to Russia: an apology, an admission of guilt, and punishment of those responsible, along with compensation for victims. Kremlin's acknowledgment of the incident has been minimal, stopping short of accepting responsibility. As investigations continue, Kazakhstan has decided to send the aircraft's flight recorders to Brazil for a comprehensive analysis. The collaboration with Azerbaijan indicates a commitment to transparency surrounding the tragedy, which resulted in the deaths of 38 passengers.

A recently observed geological phenomenon known as a 'ghost island' has emerged off the coast of Azerbaijan, attributed to the submarine mud volcano Kumani Bank. This island formed approximately 15 miles from the eastern shore, first appearing in early 2023 before briefly growing to about 400 meters in width. By late 2024, the island had diminished to just one-quarter of its maximum size, according to satellite imagery released by NASA. Mud volcanoes, while less explosive than traditional volcanoes, can create significant changes in landscape and are prevalent in regions near tectonic plate boundaries like Azerbaijan. The country is home to roughly 300 mud volcanoes, which collectively contribute to its title as the world capital of mud volcanoes. Geologist Mark Tingay from the University of Adelaide commented on the surprise of suddenly seeing an island rise from the sea. These mud volcano eruptions occur when gas trapped beneath the Earth's surface builds up pressure before breaking through. While they're often quieter events, they can lead to dramatic changes in the environment, including the formation of temporary islands. NASA has documented the developments of Kumani Bank over time, noting that previous eruptions have led to the creation of even larger islands in the past, with the largest recorded being 700 meters across.

Azerbaijan is escalating tensions with Russia following the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 25, which resulted in the tragic loss of 38 lives. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has adamantly stated that the plane was shot down from the ground as it approached its landing zone in Grozny, Russia. While the Kremlin has acknowledged air defense operations were underway, it has refrained from admitting any involvement in the incident. Aliyev has criticized Moscow for what he describes as a "concealment" of the true causes surrounding the crash and has called for an impartial investigation into the matter. The Armenian leader has expressed discontent over the handling of the situation, emphasizing the need for accountability and justice for the victims. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that Russian experts are cooperating fully with the investigation and expressed a desire for a thorough and objective inquiry into the catastrophe. However, despite calls for acknowledgment of responsibility, Moscow has not publicly accepted blame for the shooting down of the aircraft. In a series of phone calls made to Aliyev following the disaster, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed regret over the incident occurring in Russian airspace but did not concede responsibility. Azerbaijani authorities have reportedly found evidence supporting claims that the aircraft was struck by a missile from the Russian air defenses, leading to increasing calls for accountability from Baku.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has escalated rhetoric against Armenia, calling its leadership a "source of threat" and labeling the state as "essentially fascist." These comments were made in a televised interview, suggesting that "fascism must be eradicated" either by Armenia's leadership or by Azerbaijan. This statement raises concerns about the potential for renewed conflict between the two nations, which have a long history of hostilities over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Armenia, which lost control of Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan in September 2023, has seen the majority of its Armenian population flee to Armenian territory as a result of the conflict. Both countries are currently attempting to negotiate a peace treaty. However, Aliyev's recent comments have been met with a warning from Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who accused Baku of seeking to justify further escalation in the region. While both sides express a desire to finalize a treaty, significant tensions persist, including Armenia's rearming efforts and Azerbaijan's demands for constitutional changes in Armenia that would remove claims to Azerbaijani territory. Peace talks have been hindered by a lack of formal diplomatic ties and a heavily militarized border. Despite the harsh language, Aliyev stated his desire to avoid further war, despite previous indications of Azerbaijan's territorial claims on parts of Armenia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has formally apologized to Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev following the tragic crash of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243, which resulted in the deaths of 38 individuals on board. The aircraft went down on December 25 near Aktau, Kazakhstan, after diverting from its original route in southern Russia due to reported Ukrainian drone activity. As investigations continue, Azerbaijan Airlines cited "external physical and technical interference" as a potential cause behind the crash. Reports from various sources suggest that the plane may have been struck by a Russian missile, which Russia has denied, stating that speculation is premature until the investigation is complete. The Kremlin confirmed that air defense systems were active in the area due to ongoing Ukrainian drone strikes but did not acknowledge any responsibility for the incident. In response to the tragedy, Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended all flights to Russian cities effective immediately, starting with routes to various destinations including Sochi and Makhachkala. This incident has raised concerns about air safety in conflict zones, marking a significant event in the ongoing tensions involving Russia, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan.