Political analyst: Installation of Aivazovsky monument in Hankandi - interference in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs

Before commenting on the uproar caused by the TASS agency regarding the dismantling of Ivan Aivazovsky’s bust (Hovhannes Aivazian), several questions need to be answered, political analyst Ulviya Zulfugar told Report.

“On what legal basis did the Russian peacekeepers, temporarily stationed in Azerbaijan, install this monument? Who authorized them? Did they receive approval from the Azerbaijani government? If this was done without official consent from Baku, then such an action constitutes direct interference in the country’s internal affairs,” she noted.

Commenting on TASS's reaction, Zulfugar emphasized that during decades of occupation, the agency never took a similarly principled stance regarding the destruction of Azerbaijani mosques, cemeteries, and historical-cultural monuments. "This is not an objective media position but blatant partiality, demonstrating whose interests are being prioritized."

According to her, while the city name Khankandi is officially recognized, the persistent use of the names “Stepanakert” and “Nagorno-Karabakh” by Russian media reflects blatant bias. “This is not just historical falsification but an attempt to revive the spirit of separatism and occupation,” she added.

The analyst believes that TASS’s reaction once again confirms that certain circles in the Russian media see their role not as disseminators of information but as instruments of political pressure.

“However, it should not be forgotten that Azerbaijan today is a strong state asserting itself on the international stage and demanding respect for its sovereignty and historical memory. I do not think this was an accidental incident. Amid growing tensions with Russia, such biased ‘gestures’ are becoming systemic. TASS’s position may be a link in this chain,” she concluded.