The Kremlin Gets A Taste Of Its Own Medicine

Azerbaijan has begun to hold Russia accountable for years of impunity.

What lies behind Azerbaijan’s attempt to bring several Kremlin fools to justice? Official Baku has issued an international arrest warrant for Alexei Chadaev , an advisor to the head of the Russian Ministry of Transport , and for Ivan Knyazev , host of the “Moscow 24” television channel Ivan Knyazev, and Kremlin political analyst Semyon Uralov. The reason is as follows: during a broadcast of one of their propaganda programs, these individuals chattered incessantly and went so far as to claim that Russia needs to carry out an “amphibious operation” on Azerbaijani territory and show the entire South Caucasus “who’s boss.” This is typical irresponsible, chauvinistic nonsense from pro-Kremlin “tenth-tier” spokespeople, which previously went largely unnoticed outside the swamps. Now it has been noticed. Why?

The political conflict between Baku and Moscow has been unfolding for quite some time. In December 2024, Russian air defense forces shot down an Azerbaijani plane, after which Baku demanded a fair investigation and an apology from the Kremlin. But instead of a full-scale investigation, a series of “unfriendly moves” began on Moscow’s part. In particular, there were harsh detentions of members of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Yekaterinburg. A separate chapter in Azerbaijani-Russian relations is Russia’s aerial terror against Ukraine, which resulted in serious damage to facilities belonging to the Azerbaijani energy company SOCAR and embassy buildings.

The Kremlin’s official reaction to the announcement that “swamp propagandists” were wanted was interesting. Whereas in the past the Russian Foreign Ministry would have responded sharply in such cases, this time it limited itself to formal calls for “constructive dialogue.” We see that Moscow is acting with restraint, and we understand why this is happening: Russia is exhausted by the war against Ukraine and cannot afford a hot conflict in the South Caucasus. Simply put, the aggressor is losing strength.

The process of the Kremlin’s “weakening” has been ongoing throughout the full-scale war and, as a result, is enabling post-Soviet countries to break free from the Kremlin’s orbit or, at the very least, to put some distance between themselves and it. This is precisely what we are observing in the cases of Kazakhstan, Armenia, and, of course, Azerbaijan.

Not long ago, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev assessed the country’s colonial past. He stated that the republic’s time as part of the Russian Empire and the USSR was a period of colonial subjugation without rights. The Azerbaijani president also recalled that during the Soviet era, “billions of metric tons of oil were exported” from Azerbaijan. In fact, what was said in Baku reflects what is thought in the capitals of all the countries that were once part of the empire. But assessing historical processes is one thing; presenting a legal bill is an entirely different level of relations.

The announcement by Russian propagandists that they are wanted internationally is one of the first attempts to hold them accountable for their irresponsible words. But in addition to words, there were also deeds—crimes against members of the Azerbaijani diaspora, against the passengers of that very plane, and against national integrity. The list is long. Every former Soviet republic has an equally long list of grievances against both Russia and specific Russian criminals. So, to be continued. The Ukrainian defense forces are turning this “failed empire” into a colossus with feet of clay on a daily basis. Sooner or later, this colossus will crumble. When that happens (and it will inevitably happen), it will not only be the former Soviet republics that will settle scores with the Kremlin, but also the current constituent entities of the so-called Russian Federation. Not a single stone will be left standing of this “failed empire.” We are working toward this goal. There are many exciting things ahead. And most importantly—Victory lies ahead. Glory to Ukraine!

Yuriy Fedorenko, Facebook

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