Moscow–Baku line sees new tension!

Russia hits Azerbaijan's SOCAR facility in Ukraine.

Russia’s continued view of former Soviet republics as its “own property” — similar to its approach to Ukraine — has led to a new crisis between Russia and Azerbaijan.

On August 6 and 8, the Russian military targeted two facilities in Ukraine belonging to Azerbaijan’s state energy company, SOCAR.

First, it attempted to disrupt gas deliveries to Ukraine via the Turkey-linked Trans-Balkan natural gas pipeline.Then, SOCAR’s oil terminal in the Odessa region, located on the Black Sea coast, was targeted.

Following both attacks, which caused serious damage to Azerbaijan’s infrastructure, Azerbaijani President Aliyev and Ukrainian President Zelensky held talks to assess the situation.

Azerbaijan emphasized that the Russians had deliberately carried out the strikes, stating:

“The Russian side has knowingly and intentionally damaged Azerbaijani facilities located in Ukrainian territory. Should such actions by Russia continue, support may be provided to Ukraine to defend our property.”

Ukrainian leader Zelensky also said:

“The Russian side has deliberately struck oil and gas facilities belonging to the Azerbaijani state company in the Odessa region with missiles, in order to hinder Ukraine’s preparations for the coming winter. The Azerbaijani administration has conveyed that its support for us will continue. I thank Azerbaijan.”

🔺 Russia–Azerbaijan relations began to deteriorate at the end of 2024.

📌 On December 25, an Azerbaijan Airlines AZAL passenger plane was shot down over Grozny, the capital of Russia’s Chechnya region, and crashed on Kazakh territory after crossing the Caspian Sea. Baku’s expectations for an official apology and compensation went unanswered.

📌 On June 27, two Azerbaijani citizens arrested in Russia’s Yekaterinburg died due to torture while in custody. In retaliation, Azerbaijan detained a number of Russian citizens in Baku and declared the managers of Sputnik Azerbaijan to be Russian agents.

The signing of a “peace declaration” in the U.S. — coordinated by Donald Trump — between the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia, excluding Russia, also angered Moscow.

Source: Hürriyet