For several years, in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Azerbaijanis, like other nations, have participated directly and indirectly from both sides. Among them, there are many who have died, been wounded, and disabled.
The Ukrainian government shows its highest material and moral duty and humanitarian respect to representatives of the peoples fighting in its army without any distinction, as its own citizens.
The vast majority of Azerbaijanis fighting in the Ukrainian Army have been awarded with military honors by this state, and the memory of those martyred has been immortalized. At the initiative of the Ukrainian embassy, a memorial plaque has been erected for them in Baku.
An officer named Ilgar Bagirov, who blew himself up with a grenade to avoid being captured by the Russians, was posthumously awarded the "Heroism" order by the Ukrainian state.
Lieutenant Colonel Kirill Agasiyev of Azerbaijani origin was awarded the "Hero of Ukraine" decoration; Ragif Aliyev and Majid Abdulgafarov were honored with "For Courage" medals. Elnur Hasanov, a sniper and veteran of the Second Karabakh War, died during the siege of Mariupol and is considered a source of pride for dear Ukrainians. The number of such comparisons can be extended considerably.
However, with regard to Russia, we can observe the exact opposite.
Hundreds of Azerbaijanis have participated in the fights against Ukraine as part of the Russian army; the majority of them were conscripted according to their military obligations, and hundreds more were forcibly taken to fight.
According to reports, approximately 150 Azerbaijanis have been killed in Ukraine as part of the Russian army, 70 have gone missing, and nearly 100 of our compatriots have been wounded. Lieutenant Anar Talibov served as an officer; Ramil Aliyev and Ismail Hasanov fought in Russian military intelligence units. Elman Shirinov and Vuqar Maharramov took part in heavy combat operations and have been injured several times.
Also, Azerbaijani nurses working in military hospitals in Russia have saved numerous Russians from death and brought them back to life. Many of our compatriots have escaped captivity and sheltered missing Russian soldiers.
Despite so much good service and loyalty to Russia, the Russian government does not appreciate them, does not award medals or honorary titles, and does not provide compensation or social support to the disabled. Until now, we have not seen the Kremlin express condolences to the families of killed Azerbaijanis or value those who lost their health. The vast majority of them have been buried in Azerbaijan in their native lands. The Russian Embassy in Azerbaijan, as a moral duty, has not shared the pain of any of their families.
All this forms the perception of Russia’s insincerity, its indifferent attitude towards the fate of other peoples, including Azerbaijanis, and the idea that non-Russians killed in combat are worthless to them.
Rather than being grateful to Azerbaijan, Russia’s political-military elite snarls from abroad, threatens, and tortures our compatriots working there.
Is this the reward for Azerbaijanis’ goodness?
Is it worth fighting in the army of such an ungrateful and unappreciative state?
Vagif Abdullayev,
Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor
