Relations between Russia and Azerbaijan deteriorated after the Azerbaijani president's comments about solidarity with Ukraine, provoking angry reactions from the Kremlin.

Tensions between Russia and Azerbaijan escalated after Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed solidarity with Ukraine, calling for the return of Russian-occupied territories. The Kremlin has warned Baku not to jeopardize bilateral relations amid backlash from Russian military bloggers. The downing of an Azeri airplane by a Russian missile, which killed 38 people, and a recent ethnic incident in the Urals have escalated the conflict, with Azerbaijan accusing Russia of not taking responsibility.