The Russian Defense Ministry said last weekend that two Armenian separatists were wounded as a result of shelling by Azerbaijani troops on September 17 near Shusha. However, as a result of a joint investigation of the incident that day by Russian peacekeepers and the command of the Azerbaijani army units stationed in the area, it became clear that the incident had nothing to do with the Azerbaijani army. After such a joint conclusion, the Ministry of Defense cannot publish such information. In addition, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia has not yet refuted this. All this shows that the Russian side uses such disinformation to manipulate (deceive) international public opinion at the IR level. Such manipulations are now important for Russians. Because Russia, like other co-chairs of the Minsk Group, supports the granting of the status to Karabakh. However, the November 10 agreement and its behind-the-scenes political bargaining do not allow Russia to express this openly. For this reason, Russia from time to time uses such disinformation to create the impression that the conflict is not over, as the President of Azerbaijan said - “Nagorno-Karabakh” exists, lives on, even resists, from time to time there are armed incidents. and the conflict is active. This situation creates the basis for a long-term presence of peacekeepers in the region and the revival of the Minsk Group. In other words, Russia is collecting political albinos so that they stay in the region for a long time and "revive" the Minisk group.
On the other hand, the Azerbaijani side mistakenly approaches the issue with a share of loyalty, wastes time and, through its actions and inaction, creates conditions for strengthening the position of its rivals. The Azerbaijani side must decisively respond to such provocations and demand that Russia report on the fulfillment of its obligations.
On the other hand, Russia fears the strengthening of Turkey in the region, and Ankara's policy towards Ukraine and Azerbaijan is displeasing Moscow. Russia now faces a dilemma. He shares the interests of the Caucasus with either Turkey or the OSCE Minsk Group. It is unprofitable for Russia to share interests with Turkey in the Caucasus. On the other hand, as Russia pushes NATO towards its borders, sharing interests with Turkey, the interests of the two countries collide in Ukraine and Syria. Although Russia has uneasy relations with the Minsk Group countries, the division of interests in the Caucasus with Moscow, Papris and Washington does not lead to their military presence in the Caucasus. This forces Russia to choose between two worst-case scenarios. Russia also has particular concerns about the choice of the Minusk group as a partner. To successfully complete this choice, Moscow must convince Baku to mediate the remainder of the Minsk Group conflict. If Azerbaijan agrees to this and re-recognizes the Minsk Group as a mediator, it will be nothing more than a sacrifice to Russia by its own interests. Therefore, the Azerbaijani government should never again recognize the Minsk Group as a mediator in resolving the conflict, but should prefer to resolve all issues in coordination with Turkey.

Akif Nasirli