Photo of Russian captain allegedly responsible for shooting down Azerbaijani plane published

Azerbaijani publication Minval Politika obtained a photo of Dmitry Paladichuk, the commander of the Pantsir-S air defense missile system, allegedly responsible for the strike on the AZAL plane on December 25, 2024. Paladichuk serves in the 1st division of the 80th anti-aircraft missile regiment (military unit No. 75564) of the 14th Army of the Russian Air Force and Air Defense.

Earlier, air defense captain Dmitry Paladichuk stated that fire on board was opened on the orders of the Russian Defense Ministry.

Despite the fact that more than seven months have passed since the tragic incident, the perpetrators remain unpunished. In connection with this situation, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced the day before his intention to file an international lawsuit against Russia. According to him, Moscow did not admit guilt and did not punish those responsible for the deaths.

Последние новости
Russian authorities want to impose fines for wearing the niqab
Human rights
Russian authorities want to impose fines for wearing the niqab
25 February 2026

Deputies have introduced a bill in the State Duma banning the wearing of niqabs and any other clothing that covers the face. Examples cited include the ban on wearing such clothing in Central Asian countries.

Georgia again rejected calls to join anti-Russian sanctions
Politics
Georgia again rejected calls to join anti-Russian sanctions
25 February 2026

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze criticized Brussels' demands to join sanctions against Russia. He said these calls were inappropriate, given that the EU itself is a major importer of Russian products.

Ruben Vardanyan Drops Appeal Against 20-Year Sentence in Azerbaijan
Human rights
Ruben Vardanyan Drops Appeal Against 20-Year Sentence in Azerbaijan
25 February 2026

Billionaire and former Nagorno-Karabakh state minister Ruben Vardanyan, sentenced in Baku to 20 years in prison, rejected the legal force of the ruling and dropped his appeal. His family explained that this decision stemmed from the fact that, in their view, the trial was a "staged performance" rather than a proper trial: the hearings were held behind closed doors, without access to independent observers, and the prosecution's motions were ignored. The full text of the verdict was also not released.

Azerbaijani political prisoners appeal to the European Commission to address human rights in the country
Human rights
Azerbaijani political prisoners appeal to the European Commission to address human rights in the country
25 February 2026

A group of imprisoned activists and journalists from Baku's Penal Colony No. 2 has appealed to the President of the European Commission. They demand the implementation of European Parliament resolutions calling for the release of Azerbaijani political prisoners.