Unprecedented Tension in Baku-Moscow Relations/From the Killing of Two Azerbaijani Brothers to the Raid on the Sputnik Office

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA)-Kabul: Following the operation by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) on the homes of Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg and the killing of two brothers named Ziyaddin and Hussein Safarov, the Azerbaijani government has initiated a series of retaliatory measures. This crisis, which was accompanied by the arrest of dozens of others, has brought relations between the two countries to one of their lowest levels in modern history.

Baku's Retaliatory Measures; From trip cancellations to raid on Sputnik office

In response to these incidents, Azerbaijan not only canceled joint cultural events with Russia, but also postponed a visit of its parliamentary delegation to Moscow.

Although not officially confirmed, in a move that clearly appears to be retaliation, Azerbaijani security forces raided the Baku office of the Russian Sputnik news agency and detained two people.

Meanwhile, a court in Yekaterinburg has issued 22-day detention orders for three members of Safarov’s family on murder charges.

The Kremlin called Baku’s reaction “regrettable”

The Kremlin called the decisions “deeply regrettable.” “We believe that the actions of our law enforcement agencies cannot and should not be a reason for such diplomatic protests,” said Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Russian presidency.

He added that a telephone conversation between the presidents of the two countries is not currently on the agenda, but it will be arranged quickly if necessary.

Azerbaijani analysts: Moscow is pursuing a "master-serf" policy

Azerbaijani analysts believe that the root of these problems is the two sides' different views on the nature of relations.

"It has once again become clear that Russia sees its partnership with its former colonies not on the basis of equal rights, but in the form of master-serf relations," writes political commentator Shahin Jafarli. This did not please the Azerbaijani leadership, and after several incidents, they once again realized serious threats from Moscow."

Another political expert, Nasimi Muhammadli, believes that Russia is not inclined to see independent countries around it and, since it cannot directly influence Azerbaijan, uses Azerbaijanis living in Russia as a lever of pressure.

Doubts in Baku; Is the confrontation with Russia a "gold war"?

However, some in Azerbaijan are skeptical about the real nature of this tension. They believe that Moscow and Baku have often “played to each other’s advantage” in recent years and that a sudden change in this pattern is not believable.

Seymour Hezi, deputy head of the Popular Front party, describes the situation as a “gold rush.” In his opinion, if the Baku government was serious about confronting Russian influence, it should dissolve the current parliament, which is under Russian influence, and hold democratic elections.

“If this step is not taken, it means that the government is compensating for its proximity to China in the eyes of the West by showing toughness towards Russia,” he says.