Category: Azer News

While Moscow continues to carve out small territorial gains in Ukraine, Kyiv tries to demonstrate its striking power based on restricted and domestically produced resources.

In detail, Russia’s Defense Ministry claims full occupation of Novoboikivske village of Zaporizhzhia region yesterday.

On the other hand, Kyiv claims to hit regions close to the front. Thus, the port in Novorossysk was one of the infrastructure targeted by the Ukrainian forces. According to the local media outlets, two oil tankers waiting for the loading were hit. Moreover, Ukrainian forces stroke Azovska substation and ammunition depot in Makiivka, which located in the occupied territories, and Russia’s Oryol oblast.

However, blowing out Atlant Aero enterprise located in Taganrog town, Rostov region, the Russian Federation was unexpected news for many. The General Staff of Ukrainian Armed Forces circulated the news and emphasized that domestically developed missiles did strike.

It is worth noting that missiles capable hitting deep inside Russia was the weakest point of Ukraine. Despite all attempts, allies either has not provided Ukraine with the said missile or prohibited Ukraine to strike Russian territories. So Ukraine was forced to develop its missile technology and the country developed missiles such Neptun, Long Neptun, Hrim, Flamingo and more. Kyiv did not shed light which of these missiles was used in the attack,

The Governor of Rostov Yuriy Slyusar confirmed the attack, but he did not specified which facilities were targeted.

It is worth noting that Atlant Aero is an industrial enterprise in Taganrog, Russia, known for its role in the development and production of military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and related systems. The company manufactures fixed-wing strike drones in the Molniya family, including Molniya-1, Molniya-2, and reconnaissance variants, which have been widely used by Russian forces during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Besides, Atlant Aero also produces components for the larger Orion combat drone program and is involved in creating control systems and electronic warfare equipment.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of the Tartar Electromechanical Plant following its reconstruction on January 13, Azernews reports.

The head of state first laid flowers at the bust of National Leader Heydar Aliyev erected in the plant’s courtyard.

Minister of Defense Industry Vugar Mustafayev briefed the President on the facilities established at the plant.

The plant was established in 1976 as the Tartar branch of the Lianozovo Electromechanical Plant. It began operations in April 1977, producing electrotechnical industry products and special-purpose items. In its early years, the plant manufactured tachometer and speedometer products for motorboats.

National Leader Heydar Aliyev, who laid the foundation of the plant, attended its official opening ceremony in 1978.

Under an order signed by President Ilham Aliyev in 2005, the Ministry of Defense Industry was established, and the Tartar Electromechanical Plant was placed under its subordination.

A range of modern, high-precision technological equipment acquired from advanced countries has been installed at the facility, where various types of military-purpose products will be manufactured. The design of technological lines, establishment of production flows, and adaptation to serial production were carried out by local specialists of ‘Azersilah’ Defense Industry Holding CJSC. Currently, production processes are being aligned with national military-technical standards and international quality standards. For this purpose, a quality control laboratory has been established.

Large-scale construction and reconstruction works have been carried out on the plant’s territory. New production and auxiliary buildings have been commissioned, while existing facilities have undergone reconstruction. Special polygons for ballistic and resource tests have also been created in line with technological requirements.

President Ilham Aliyev pays special attention to the development of the defense industry. Local companies are being established in this field, cooperation with foreign partners is expanding, and production volumes are increasing through the application of technologies that meet modern challenges. Last year, Azerbaijan produced military-purpose products worth 1.4 billion manats, part of which was supplied to the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, while another part was exported. Currently, Azerbaijan exports military-purpose products to nearly 20 countries.

At least 12,000 people have reportedly been killed during the ongoing protests in Iran, the editorial board of Iran International stated, describing the events as ‘the largest massacre in Iran’s contemporary history.’ The mass killings are said to have occurred mainly over two consecutive nights, January 8 and 9, Azernews reports.

According to Iran International, the information was gathered from multiple sources, including individuals close to the Supreme National Security Council, officials in the presidential office, members of the Revolutionary Guard in cities such as Mashhad, Kermanshah, and Isfahan, as well as eyewitness accounts, families of the victims, medical reports, and field information from doctors and nurses. The editorial board said it carefully verified the data in multiple stages according to professional standards.

The statement alleges that the massacre was carried out on the personal order of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with the explicit approval of the heads of Iran’s three branches of government. It also reports that the Supreme National Security Council issued direct firing orders, leading to the large-scale suppression.

This development comes amid months of unrest in Iran, which began with widespread demonstrations over economic hardship, social restrictions, and political grievances. The death toll reported by Iran International far exceeds previous estimates and highlights the scale of violence used against protesters.

Human rights organizations and international observers have previously condemned the Iranian authorities’ crackdown on protests, citing excessive use of force, mass arrests, and reported extrajudicial killings. The new figures, if confirmed, would represent an unprecedented escalation in the government’s response to public dissent.

Iranian authorities have not independently confirmed the reported number of deaths. International reactions are expected as the scope of the alleged crackdown continues to emerge.

Azerbaijan will be represented by two talented shooters at the U21 European Championships, Azernews reports.

Leyli Aliyeva and Imran Garayev will showcase their skills at the prestigious event in Burgas, Bulgaria.

The duo will compete in the 10-meter air pistol discipline, testing their precision and focus against Europe’s best young marksmen.

In addition to their individual events, Aliyeva and Garayev will also join forces in the mixed team competition, highlighting Azerbaijan’s strength in collaborative as well as solo performance.

The championship is set to take place from February 9-15, promising a week of thrilling competitions.

Shooting has long held a place in Azerbaijani sport. Stand shooting in the region dates back to the early 20th century, and Azerbaijan first sent marksmen to the Olympic Games in 1988 in Seoul, establishing its presence on the world stage.

Since then, Azerbaijani athletes have continued to make their mark: Irada Ashumova captured an Olympic bronze medal in Athens in 2004, while other shooters have competed with distinction in international events.

The growth of the sport has been supported by world-class facilities such as the Baku Shooting Centre, offering competitive ranges from 10 to 300 meters and recognised as one of the most advanced complexes in Europe.

Established in 1992, the Azerbaijan Shooting Federation serves as the cornerstone of the sport’s organisation and development nationwide.

Azerbaijan has also hosted major international competitions, including the ISSF World Shooting Championships in Baku, which drew athletes from more than 100 countries and were praised for their high organisational standards.

National competitions, such as the Azerbaijan Championship in bullet and stand shooting, continue to nurture local talent, attracting over 100 athletes and producing top performers like Zeynab Sultanova, Ruslan Lunev, and Imran Garayev.

A major drug seizure was carried out by the Bilasuvar Customs Department, with authorities confiscating a significant quantity of narcotics hidden in a commercial shipment, Azernews reports via the State Customs Committee.

The operation targeted a vehicle transporting a cargo labeled as ‘cabbage’ from Iran to Georgia, transiting through Azerbaijan. As part of standard security measures, the shipment was inspected with the help of a canine service dog, which reacted to 13 bags in the trailer, signaling the presence of illegal substances.

Upon a thorough examination of the flagged cargo, customs officers discovered a total of 19 kilograms 475 grams of marijuana, physically concealed by folding the narcotics to resemble heads of cabbage. The creative concealment method had been intended to evade detection, but was successfully uncovered through the combined efforts of customs staff and the trained service dog.

The seizure highlights ongoing efforts by Azerbaijani customs authorities to combat the illegal trafficking of drugs through the country’s transit routes and ensure the integrity of cross-border trade.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev visited the village of Chapar in the Aghdara district to review the reconstruction and development works undertaken there, Azernews reports.

Elchin Yusubov, Special Representative of the President in the city of Khankendi and the Aghdara and Khojaly districts, provided the head of state with a detailed briefing on the progress of reconstruction in the village.

Chapar village is situated in the Imarat Garvand administrative territorial unit of Aghdara district, on the southeastern slopes of the Garabagh mountain range. It is home to historical fortress and temple architectural monuments. The village was liberated from occupation following the anti-terror operation carried out by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in 2023.

Currently, there are 104 private houses in Chapar. Of these, 41 were deemed beyond repair, while 63 were found partially usable. To date, 40 houses have been fully commissioned, with an additional 23 scheduled for restoration by the end of the year. In the initial phase of the “Great Return” program, 26 families (96 people) have already resettled in the village.

Considerable work has been completed to address social needs. Three existing transformers and associated power lines have been rehabilitated, new electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications lines have been installed, a modern water supply network has been created, water reservoirs have been restored, and approximately 6 kilometers of internal village roads have been fully rebuilt. A newly landscaped park will soon be made available for residents’ use.

Following the briefing, President Ilham Aliyev visited the family of Kamala Dadashova, one of the families who have relocated to the village, and inquired about their living conditions.

China has criticised the United States’ decision to impose a 25% tariff on all countries engaged in cooperation with Iran.

As reported by Azernews, the Chinese Embassy in Washington expressed its stance through a statement by its spokesperson, Liu Pengyu, on the social media platform “X.”

Liu also emphasised that China would take necessary actions to safeguard its interests, stating:

“Tariffs and trade wars do not have winners; coercion and pressure cannot resolve issues. Protectionism harms the interests of all parties. China firmly opposes any unilateral sanctions. The Chinese government will take all necessary measures to defend its legitimate rights and interests.”

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump had announced that a 25% tariff would be imposed on all countries cooperating with Iran.

It is worth noting that China’s accession to the World Trade Organisation in 2001 marked a turning point, deepening economic ties. Bilateral trade expanded rapidly, making China America’s largest trading partner for many years. However, this economic interdependence also generated tensions, particularly over trade imbalances, intellectual property theft, market access restrictions, and state subsidies to Chinese firms.

By the mid-2010s, US policy shifted decisively toward strategic competition. The Trump administration labelled China a ‘strategic competitor,’ launching a trade war that included tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of Chinese goods. While the Biden administration rolled back some rhetoric, it largely maintained tariffs and reinforced restrictions on advanced technology exports, particularly in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing.

Armenian authorities are planning to remove Russian border guards from the Akhurik border checkpoint on the border with Trkiye in the near future, a diplomatic source told Armenian media, Azernews reports.

According to the source, a decision to hand over control of the Akhurik checkpoint has already been taken, and preparatory steps, including the installation of a flagpole, have been completed. At the same time, Russian border guards are expected to remain present at the checkpoint. The condition of the railway line connecting Armenia with Trkiye is also reportedly being assessed.

Other sources indicate that the Turkish side has already begun construction work in the Margara checkpoint area. Taken together, the launch of construction activities by Trkiye and the reported preparations at Akhurik point to serious intentions by both sides to move toward opening the border in the foreseeable future.

At the same time, Armenian law enforcement officials have privately expressed concerns over a potential increase in border violations. Official data show that 160 cases of illegal border crossings were registered in 2024, compared with 78 cases in 2023, representing a significant rise year on year.

According to officials, individuals involved in illegal crossings are often citizens of third countries, including Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who view Armenia as a transit route. The situation is further complicated by Armenia’s practice of releasing such individuals or granting them refugee status, which, officials warn, may contribute to a continued increase in illegal migration flows.

As part of its winter online lecture series, the Confucius Institute at Azerbaijan University of Languages have recently organised a lecture titled “The Art of Chinese Ice Sculpture”, Azernews reports.

The lecture was delivered by Rafiq Abbasov, Director of the Confucius Institute. He spoke about the history of “The Great World of Ice and Snow” in Harbin, home to the world’s largest ice and snow-themed park.

Abbasov highlighted that the first Harbin Ice Lantern Festival was held in 1963 at the city’s Chaolin Park, featuring colourful light displays.

This event marked the beginning of the development of ice sculpting art and paved the way for the annual International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival.

The festival’s main venue is recognised by the Guinness World Records as home to the largest snow sculpture in the world.

Visitors to the park can admire hundreds of large-scale ice replicas of famous historical buildings, sculptures of humans and mythical creatures, as well as representations of the Chinese zodiac animals.

Along the banks of the Songhua River, ice sculptures of various sizes and forms, including snowmen, are on display. During Harbin’s ice sculpture competitions, artists from around the globe showcase their skill and creativity in crafting intricate and original ice works.

Abbasov also discussed the styles and technological stages of ice sculpture creation, including the preparation of original designs, the use of traditional carving tools, and modern laser technology for fine details.

‘Azercell Telecom’ LLC has expanded its roaming portfolio with updated internet packages designed to better meet subscribers’ needs, Azernews reports.

These cost-efficient offers allow customers to stay connected outside Azerbaijan, ensuring uninterrupted communication and supporting both personal and professional activities during international travel, enhancing the overall roaming experience.

As the mobile operator with the most extensive roaming coverage in the local market, Azercell offers roaming internet packages with data volumes of 500 MB, 2 GB, 5 GB, and 10 GB.

For short-term trips, the 500 MB roaming package is available for AZN 10 with a 3-day validity period, while the 2 GB package is priced at AZN 25 and valid for 10 days. For longer stays and higher data consumption, subscribers can opt for the 5 GB package valid for 30 days at AZN 50, or the 10 GB package with the same validity period priced at AZN 75.

The updated roaming packages are available across the networks of 260 mobile operators in more than 100 countries, with the coverage list being updated regularly.

More detailed information about the roaming internet packages is available on Azercell’s official website.