Moscow alleged to be running an 'informational assault', following Aliyev's assertion that Bolsheviks invaded Azerbaijan, according to Baku's statement.

In recent times, the Caucasus region has experienced significant changes, with tensions escalating between Azerbaijan and Russia. The root of this escalation can be traced back to comments made by President Ilham Aliyev regarding historical facts, which triggered a widespread information campaign against Azerbaijan.

The campaign, which uses various means including social media, television, news, and individuals with radical positions, has been accused by Azerbaijan's Parliament of being aimed at inciting anti-Azerbaijan sentiment in Russian society. This accusation follows an interview President Aliyev gave to the Saudi media outlet Al-Arabiya, the exact words of which, that supposedly triggered the campaign, were not specified.

Stridently pro-Kremlin media outlet Tsargrad TV has published articles criticising Aliyev, including accusations of him being silent about his father Heydar Aliyev's service as the Communist Party boss of Soviet Azerbaijan. The Russian army invaded Azerbaijan and occupied it during this time, a historical fact that has been a point of contention in the ongoing campaign.

The Azerbaijan Parliament's statement claims President Aliyev's response to a question regarding the Zangezur corridor was taken out of context, falsified, or distorted when presented to the Russian audience. The Parliament also claims that these campaigns have no impact on public opinion in Azerbaijan.

The strikes come at a low point in Azerbaijan's relations with Russia, fueled by the deadly crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) flight and the deaths of two ethnic Azerbaijanis during a Russian police raid. As a result, Azerbaijan has become more open in its support of Ukraine, hinting that it may be willing to end its arms embargo if tensions with Russia continue.

Amidst these tensions, a newsroom is being built to support independent journalism, a crucial element in maintaining a balanced and factual portrayal of events. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which existed from 1918-1920, was a short-lived independent state that President Aliyev discussed in his interview.

The Trump Route is also being proposed to connect Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhchivan, which was separated from mainland Azerbaijan by the Soviet Union. This proposed route aims to strengthen the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty, a point that has been a focus of the ongoing information campaign.

Despite the Russian government not taking a direct official action in response to President Aliyev's statements about the Zangezur corridor, tensions have escalated, with Russia continuing to deny responsibility for the December 2024 downing of an Azerbaijani civilian plane and showing anti-Azerbaijani sentiment. This complicates dialogue and trust between the countries, making it essential for both sides to promote open and honest communication to maintain peace in the region.

Moscow alleged to be running an 'informational assault', following Aliyev's assertion that Bolsheviks invaded Azerbaijan, according to Baku's statement.