Category: Azer News

The US Embassy in Azerbaijan shared a message on social media marking the anniversary of the crash involving an Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), Azernews reports. On December 25, 2024, an Embraer 190-100 IGW passenger aircraft, registered in the state register under number 4K-AZ65 and owned by Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC (AZAL), crashed in the Republic of Kazakhstan near Aktau Airport while performing regular flight J2-8243 from Baku (Republic of Azerbaijan) to Grozny (Russian Federation). Two crew members (the captain and co-pilot), the senior flight attendant, and 35 passengers were lost in the crash.

The preliminary report published by the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan confirms the following facts:

1. The Embraer 190-100 IGW passenger aircraft, registered under the number 4K-AZ65 and owned by Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC (AZAL), operating a regular flight J2-8243 from Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan to Grozny, Russian Federation, has been in a fully operational condition since the start of the flight on the route to Grozny. in good condition for flights. These data on the airworthiness of the aircraft, including the operation of its control systems, were confirmed using FDR data;

2. Both engines of the aircraft were operating without technical problems until the moment of the accident. This information is also confirmed by FDR data;

3. During the flight in the airspace of the Russian Federation, including over Grozny Airport, the aircraft lost GPS signals;

4. Due to adverse weather conditions over Grozny, the aircraft was unable to make a second approach for landing, after which the captain decided to return to Baku. After this decision was made over Grozny, two external sounds were recorded on the CVR at 24-second intervals;

5. A comparison of CVR and FDR data showed that 4 seconds after the first external sound, the third hydraulic system failed, 6 seconds later the first hydraulic system failed, and 21 seconds later the second hydraulic system failed;

6. Numerous blunt and penetrating damages to the fuselage were found and recorded in photographs and video recordings. This damage was found in the rear of the fuselage, the vast majority of which was on the vertical and horizontal stabilizers, as well as the left wing and left engine.

7. Information was provided that the damage found in the aircraft fuselage was caused by external objects. The preliminary report does not contain any information indicating that the aircraft collided with birds.

8. Foreign objects not belonging to the aircraft, found in the blind damage to the fuselage, were removed; their photographs are presented to the public in the preliminary report. To accurately determine the origin of the foreign objects found, additional examinations are planned in the future.

9. At 05:13:32, the aircraft’s main control systems failed; at 05:21:42, the liaison officer reported to Grozny that Operation Carpet was underway.

10. No information indicating an oxygen cylinder explosion has been provided.

Under the requirements of the ICAO Chicago Convention, a final report on the causes of the crash must be prepared within one year of the incident, following the preliminary report.

International rating agency S and P Global Ratings has upgraded the credit rating outlook for the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) from ‘stable’ to ‘positive’ and affirmed the company’s rating at BB, Azernews reports, citing S and P.

According to the agency, the decision reflects a very high likelihood of state support for SOCAR and follows a similar improvement in Azerbaijan’s sovereign rating outlook.

S and P notes that the positive outlook is supported by several factors. Tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia have significantly eased amid progress toward a peace settlement, with both countries reducing defense spending in their 2026 budgets. These developments lower the risk of renewed conflict and, if current trends continue, could bolster investor confidence and contribute to more sustainable medium-term economic growth by improving regional trade and transport links in the South Caucasus.

Additionally, SOCAR benefits from strong fiscal and external buffers backed by significant assets of the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ). The report highlights that sustained positive balances in the public sector and low government debt provide substantial resilience against shocks, helping to maintain macroeconomic stability and mitigating the impact of volatile hydrocarbon prices.

S and P expects that Azerbaijan’s credit metrics could improve further in the medium term if geopolitical risks continue to decline and fiscal buffers are preserved.

‘While a formal peace agreement has yet to be signed, recent commitments and the initial steps toward their implementation represent the most constructive phase in bilateral relations in decades, which could enhance the investment environment and support economic growth potential,’ S and P stated.

For context, on November 12, 2025, S and P upgraded SOCAR’s rating from BB- to BB.

The chair of the appeals court, the chair of the court of first instance, and judges of several courts of first instance have been appointed, Azernews reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has signed the relevant decree.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expressed hope that goods will soon be exported from Armenia to Azerbaijan, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

Speaking to journalists, Pashinyan noted that there is a tendency within Armenian society to complicate matters unnecessarily.

He also emphasized that there are no restrictions on the movement of freight trains via Azerbaijan to and from Kazakhstan and Russia.

‘Currently, there are imports from Azerbaijan to Armenia, and I hope that exports from Armenia to Azerbaijan will follow,’ Pashinyan said.

A combat jiu-jitsu competition has taken place at the Sports Society of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Azernews reports. It was dedicated to the 5th anniversary of the Victory achieved in the 44-day Patriotic War.

At the opening ceremony of the competition, which was held among children, teenagers, and youth, representatives of the Sports Society of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the leadership of the Eurasian Combat Jiu-Jitsu Federation spoke about the significance of the tournament. It was noted that the 44-day Patriotic War is an integral part of the glorious history of our people.

The First Vice President of the Federation, Bakhtiyar Shikhzadayev, provided information about the rules. The Second Vice President of the organisation spoke about the athletes’ participation in international competitions and the victories they have achieved.

After that, the competition officially began.

In the championship, 105 athletes competed across various age groups and weight categories. The competition was officiated by Rasul Mammadov, President of the Eurasian Combat Jiu-Jitsu Federation.

The Sports Society of the Ministry of Internal Affairs took first place. The Ganja team finished second, while the Bileceri team secured third place.

At the end of the event, the winners were awarded diplomas and medals.

The Sumgait State Drama Theatre has thrilled Baku audiences with a stunning performance of “The Rich House”, Azernews reports. The play, based on the celebrated work of Ossetian playwright Georgi Khugayev, was staged at the prestigious Academic National Drama Theatre.

Well-known public figures, representatives of theatre and cinema, as well as theatre lovers attended the performance.

The stage director of the play is People’s Artist Firudin Maharramov. The play was translated from Russian by Honored Art Worker Agalar Idrisoglu. The production designer is Honored Artist Nabat Samadova, and the musical arrangement was created by Shamistan Muradkhanly.

The play “The Rich House” presents, in an artistic and aesthetic manner, the tragedy of a family living under strict family rules at the beginning of the 20th century, showing how greed for wealth can destroy human destinies and ruin family relationships.

The roles in the performance were played by Honored Artists Rauf Agakishiyev, Khatire Suleymanova, Sadaqat Nuriyeva, and actors Oktay Mehdiyev, Habil Khanlarov, Shamistan Suleymanli, and Maryam Huseynli.

The performance by the Sumgait State Drama Theatre has been regarded as a significant event in terms of strengthening creative ties between theatres and successfully representing regional theaters on the capital’s stage.

The Sumgayit State Drama Theatre has made a significant contribution to the development of theatrical art in the country through its performances and creative work.

The theatre raised its curtain with Mirza Fatali Akhundzade’s play “Monsieur Jordan the Botanist and Dervish Mastali-shah”, staged by director Jannat Salimova.

Its repertoire features works by both classic and contemporary Azerbaijani, Russian, and international playwrights.

On a cold winter day, people left the warmth of their homes. Some were travelling to see loved ones living far away. Some were chasing long-held dreams. Some were travelling for reasons known only to themselves. Who could know?

Who could imagine that the open sky would, within hours or perhaps minutes, turn into a dark nightmare for them?

Then a gentle voice, carrying hope, rose from within the cabin and planted a fragile sense of reassurance among passengers frozen by fear. “Everything will be fine.”

The brave woman who spoke those words was likely as frightened as everyone else, yet her calm voice became a source of hope for dozens of souls.

As the Embraer 190 aircraft, flight J2 8243, struggled to descend through the vast emptiness of the sky, the tension inside the cabin grew with every passing second. Each passenger, having made peace with fate, wondered quietly what the end would bring.

On 25 December 2024, an ordinary flight from Baku to Grozny became a tragedy that would mark a nation. The passengers of AZAL flight J2 8243 were not soldiers or strategists. They were parents returning home, workers crossing borders, families preparing for the New Year. Their expectations were modest and human. They trusted the sky to carry them safely.

That trust was broken by force…

As the aircraft approached Grozny, the region was under heightened military alert. Russian air defence systems were active, responding to perceived threats in the airspace. Within this atmosphere of tension, a civilian aircraft was struck by a Russian Pantsir missile. The hit damaged critical systems and turned a routine descent into a desperate struggle for survival.

Inside the aircraft, fear was matched by a sense of dignity. Survivors would later speak of silence punctuated by whispered prayers, of hands held tightly, of a cabin bound together by the knowledge that time was running out. The promise that everything would be fine was not a lie, voiced by a brave Azerbaijani lady, Hokuma Aliyeva. It was an act of compassion offered when nothing else could be offered.

Moments later, the aircraft crashed, and the sky claimed thirty-eight lives. Lives ended abruptly. Futures disappeared in an instant.

In Azerbaijan, families waited for news that came too slowly and then all at once. Phone calls went unanswered. Celebrations were cancelled. Homes filled with grief that words could not contain. The loss was not abstract. It had names, faces, and empty chairs at winter tables.

What followed the crash deepened the sorrow. In the days after the tragedy, Russia attempted to obscure the truth. Official statements avoided responsibility. Alternative explanations were floated. Technical failure was implied. The possibility of military involvement was dismissed. Silence replaced clarity.

For the families of the victims, this denial was unbearable. Loss is heavy enough when acknowledged. When denied, it becomes cruelty.

Truth after loss: elegy for victims of AZAL flight J2 8243

Yet truth does not vanish when ignored. Flight data, radar information, and expert analysis steadily revealed what had happened. The evidence pointed clearly to a missile strike carried out during Russian air defence operations. The facts demanded recognition.

Azerbaijan did not remain silent. President Ilham Aliyev took a firm and decisive stance, insisting that responsibility be acknowledged. This was not a demand driven by anger but by dignity. A civilian aircraft had been destroyed. Innocent lives had been lost. The truth had to be spoken.

Through sustained diplomatic pressure, Russia was compelled to admit what had occurred. Moscow formally acknowledged that the aircraft had been hit as a result of its military actions and issued an apology. The admission came late, but it mattered. It restored truth to a space clouded by denial and affirmed that even powerful states can be held to account.

The apology did not heal the grief of families or return the lives lost aboard flight J2 8243. It did not erase the terror of the final moments. But it drew a line between truth and falsehood. It confirmed that civilian lives are not expendable and that responsibility does not disappear in the sky.

This tragedy stands as a warning written in memory. Modern conflict does not remain confined to battlefields. Missiles do not recognise innocence. Decisions made in seconds can destroy lives forever.

Today, we remember the passengers and crew of AZAL flight J2 8243 not as numbers or headlines, but as human beings whose final journey should never have ended in violence. They were travellers, dreamers, parents, and children. They deserved to arrive.

May their memory remain brighter than the lies that followed their deaths.

May the sky one day return to being a place of passage rather than fear.

May those who boarded that flight be remembered with truth, dignity, and peace.

The large-scale reconstruction and revitalization underway in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories vividly demonstrate the country’s growing state capacity, long-term strategic planning, and effective governance. What is unfolding in Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur today is not merely a construction campaign, but a comprehensive state-building process aimed at ensuring irreversible sovereignty, sustainable development, and social reintegration.

Following the full restoration of its territorial integrity, Azerbaijan rapidly transitioned from military victory to civilian reconstruction. Based on the direct instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, the revival of the liberated territories was designated a top national priority. The government has mobilized financial, institutional, and human resources to rebuild these regions according to the most modern urban, economic, and social standards. This approach reflects a clear political message: the liberated lands are not only restored, but transformed into zones of innovation, growth, and stability.

At present, extensive infrastructure projects are being implemented across the region. New highways and railways, airports, power lines, water supply systems, and digital infrastructure are being created in parallel with investments in education, healthcare, public services, and cultural heritage restoration. The integrated nature of these efforts illustrates a shift from ad hoc reconstruction to a holistic development model grounded in long-term sustainability.

On December 24, President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited several liberated areas, a visit that carried both practical and symbolic significance. The opening of the Victory Park in Khankendi and the second residential complex in Aghdam marked another milestone in the normalization of civilian life in areas that for decades were deprived of lawful governance and development.

In Khankendi, Elchin Yusubov, the President’s Special Representative in the city and the Aghdara and Khojaly regions, briefed the head of state and the First Lady on the conditions created in Victory Park. The park, covering a total area of 9 hectares, was founded in February this year by President Aliyev himself, with progress reviewed during a previous visit in July. The continuity of presidential oversight underscores the leadership’s hands-on approach to post-conflict reconstruction.

The Victory Park is rich in symbolism. The 44-meter-high Victory Arch, representing the 44 days of the Patriotic War, and the 44 steps leading to it, reflect the historic struggle for territorial integrity. The informational signs along the path document the liberation of settlements and the outcomes of the 2023 anti-terrorist operation, embedding recent history into the urban landscape. The ten-floor structure, terrace, and ‘Victory Gallery’ exhibition hall further transform the park into a living memorial that connects memory, identity, and public space.

Beyond symbolism, the park serves a practical social function. Extensive landscaping, fountains, lighting, and music systems have turned it into a modern recreational area. The preservation of existing trees and the planting of more than 500 trees, over 11,000 bushes, and flowers demonstrate a conscious effort to balance development with environmental responsibility.

Parallel to symbolic projects, Azerbaijan has accelerated the restoration of essential social infrastructure. By mid-2024, repair and construction works were completed at a secondary school and kindergarten in the Karkijahan settlement of Khankendi. Medical centers were commissioned in several villages, including Ballica, Hasanriz, Talish, and Sugovushan, significantly improving access to healthcare in rural areas.

A particularly important institutional step was taken with the establishment of the ‘Garabagh University Clinic’ by presidential decree on February 7, 2025. The transfer of the Khankendi hospital to the clinic’s balance and the completion of renovation works signal a strategic focus on building a regional healthcare and education hub. This move reinforces the idea that human capital development is central to the long-term reintegration of the liberated territories.

Transport infrastructure development further supports economic and social revival. Major highway reconstruction projects, such as the Sarsang reservoir-Umudlu road, the Sugovushan-Kalbajar routes, and the Askeran-Khojaly-Khankendi-Shusha corridor, are gradually reconnecting the region internally and with the rest of the country. Urban infrastructure in Khankendi has also improved, with temporary asphalt laid on inner-city roads and dozens of residential and non-residential buildings renovated.

A critical pillar of Azerbaijan’s post-conflict strategy is economic activation through strong state incentives. The government has introduced one of the most generous support packages in the region for entrepreneurs operating in the liberated territories.

Tax exemptions on income, property, land, and simplified taxes for ten years, full state subsidies for social insurance contributions, and utility cost compensation are designed to reduce risk and attract private investment. These mechanisms are already producing tangible results. As of July this year, 474 facilities were offered for lease, with 299 already operational. Investments totaling approximately 45.5 million manat have been made, creating around 1,900 jobs. With additional facilities expected to open, employment is projected to exceed 5,000 jobs. Moreover, housing solutions have been provided for over 13,000 people, including state employees, private sector workers, and returning residents.

An important component of President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva’s December 24 visit was their participation in the opening of the second residential complex in Aghdam city and their meeting with residents who have begun returning to their native lands. This event once again highlighted that the reconstruction policy in the liberated territories is centered not only on infrastructure, but first and foremost on people.

Emin Huseynov, the President’s Special Representative in the Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavend regions, briefed the head of state on the conditions created in the new complex. Spanning more than 13 hectares, the residential area consists of 11 neighborhoods and 60 newly constructed apartment buildings. In total, the complex includes 1,268 modern apartments of various layouts, designed to meet the diverse needs of returning families.

The phased resettlement plan itself reflects a carefully calibrated approach. In December, 104 families comprising 426 people are scheduled to move into the complex, while another 1,164 families – nearly 4,800 people – are expected to relocate in January-February 2026. This gradual process allows for the smooth integration of residents into the urban environment and ensures that public services operate effectively from the first day.

From an analytical perspective, the technical and social infrastructure of the complex illustrates Azerbaijan’s broader reconstruction philosophy. All buildings are supplied with uninterrupted water and electricity, high-speed internet, heating, and hot water – standards that correspond to contemporary urban living. At the same time, extensive landscaping and urban planning have been carried out: nearly five kilometers of internal roads have been laid, sports and children’s playgrounds built, bicycle lanes established, and both underground and surface parking facilities created. This shows a deliberate shift away from temporary housing solutions toward permanent, high-quality urban settlements.

It is also significant that President Ilham Aliyev personally laid the foundation stone of this residential complex in 2023 and, together with First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, reviewed construction progress earlier this year. Such continuity underscores the political importance attached to the resettlement process and reinforces public confidence in the state’s long-term commitments.

More broadly, the Aghdam project exemplifies the core principle guiding the restoration of Garabagh and Eastern Zangezur: ensuring a comfortable, dignified, and sustainable life for former internally displaced persons. Housing construction is being pursued in parallel with the creation of social and economic infrastructure. Modern schools, kindergartens, healthcare institutions, industrial parks, production facilities, and service centers are being established to guarantee employment opportunities and social stability.

This integrated model reveals that Azerbaijan’s post-conflict strategy is not limited to physical reconstruction. Instead, it aims to create self-sufficient urban and rural communities capable of supporting long-term population growth and economic activity. In this sense, the opening of the Aghdam residential complex is not merely a housing event – it is a tangible indicator of the transition from post-war recovery to sustainable regional development.

Collectively, these developments confirm that the state’s policy in the liberated territories is built on foresight, inclusivity, and strategic patience. By aligning infrastructure development with human needs, Azerbaijan is laying the foundations for the irreversible revival of Garabagh and Eastern Zangezur and transforming former zones of conflict into spaces of normalcy, productivity, and hope.

The recent visit of President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva to the liberated areas once again demonstrated that Azerbaijan’s post-war policy is guided by consistency, strategic depth, and a clear vision of irreversibility. Reconstruction is not treated as a short-term response to conflict, but as a nation-building process that integrates memory, development, social justice, and economic resilience.

Through coordinated infrastructure development, symbolic state presence, and powerful economic incentives, Azerbaijan is reshaping the liberated territories into fully functional and vibrant regions. This model not only consolidates sovereignty on the ground but also sets a precedent for post-conflict recovery driven by strong political will and institutional capacity.

Nearly 761,000 manats in student loan funds have been forgiven by the Education Student Loan Fund, according to its Chairman, Behruz Azimov.

Azernews reports that Azimov made the announcement during a presentation at an event in Baku marking the four-year activity report of the Education Student Loan Fund.

He noted that under the loan repayment rules, graduates who demonstrate high academic performance during the standard period of study are eligible for partial loan forgiveness funded by the state.

Specifically, graduates with strong overall academic results received benefits under 681 Social Student Loan (TTK) contracts, with 50% of their loan amounts forgiven, and 1,679 Standard Student Loan contracts, which qualified for 25% loan forgiveness. As a result, a total of nearly 761,000 manats in student loan funds has been written off.

On December 25, on the first anniversary of the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane on the Baku-Grozny route near Aktau, Kazakhstan, Prime Minister Ali Asadov, who also serves as the head of the State Commission investigating the incident, visited the Second Alley of Honor to pay respects at the graves of National Heroes Hokuma Aliyeva, Igor Kshnyakin, and Aleksandr Kalyaninov, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers.

According to information, Prime Minister Asadov, accompanied by Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev and AZAL President Samir Rzayev, laid floral tributes at the graves of the crew members who lost their lives in the tragedy.