Imagine this: once allies, Russia and Azerbaijan now eye each other like sworn enemies! They used to share oil, gas, fruits, and veggies, but now? A conflict threatens to ignite the entire South Caucasus. It all started with the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane last December, shot down by a Russian air defense missile in Chechnya, killing 38 of the 67 passengers. Baku immediately blamed Moscow, while Putin only called it a tragic incident without admitting guilt. To make matters worse, Russian police arrested several ethnic Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg in June over decades-old murders, with one confessing. The bodies were sent to Azerbaijan, where authorities claimed death resulted from post-traumatic shock caused by beatings allegedly inflicted by Russian police. Azerbaijan retaliated by canceling visits of Russian officials and arresting several Russian journalists and IT experts in Baku, sparking a sharp diplomatic crisis. Behind it all is Turkey’s growing support for Azerbaijan, while Russia’s influence in the region wanes, especially due to the war in Ukraine. Tensions peaked when Ilham Aliyev refused to attend Moscow’s Victory Day parade and spoke with Zelensky, which the Kremlin called a provocation. This isn’t just a clash between two countries; it’s a battle for dominance in the South Caucasus, where old alliances crumble and new enemies emerge. Think this is just another diplomatic spat? Think again — this is a potential firestorm that could engulf the whole region. So, what do you think? Who’s going to come out on top in this power game? Drop a comment and let’s see where everyone stands!
Russia Azerbaijan Clash: How One Plane and Old Murders Set the Caucasus on Fire
