Russia Denies Journalists' Statements Represent Its Position on…

Russia's Foreign Ministry stated that statements by three Russian journalists declared in international search by Azerbaijan do not reflect Moscow's official position, while affirming its intent to protect their legal rights. The journalists were accused of inciting violence and undermining Azerbaijan's territorial integrity in a YouTube program.

Consensus

Three Russian citizens—Semen Uralov, Ivan Knyazev, and Alexei Chadayev—were declared in international search by Azerbaijan's General Prosecutor's Office.
The journalists were accused of inciting violence, changing the constitutional order, and undermining Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.
Their statements were made in a YouTube program titled 'Chistota ponimaniya' (Clean Understanding).
Russia's Foreign Ministry, through spokesperson Maria Zakharova, stated that the journalists' remarks do not reflect Moscow's official stance toward Azerbaijan.
Russia emphasized that bilateral relations should be based on existing legal frameworks, particularly the February 22, 2022, Declaration on Allied Interaction.
Russia expressed willingness to protect the legal rights and interests of its citizens involved.
Zakharova noted the presence of unfriendly narratives about Russia in Azerbaijan's information space.
Moscow has repeatedly proposed discussing the information environment in calm, non-politicized consultations.

Points of divergence

Azerbaijan's General Prosecutor's Office has only submitted a request for international search through Interpol, not formally declared the individuals in international search; the process is unlikely to succeed due to Interpol's rules against political cases. — tg_rybar
The media coverage of the international search as a fact is premature and serves as a media campaign to intimidate critics, given that the case has no procedural chance of success. — tg_rybar
The case appears to be a response to long-standing criticism by the journalists, including remarks from July 2025 about an Azerbaijan-Erivan alliance against Moscow and influence of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Russia. — tg_rybar
Azerbaijan summoned the Russian ambassador, Mikhail Evdokimov, over statements deemed provocative, insulting, and threatening, including remarks about post-Soviet states being subject to Russian law as successor to the USSR. — m24

Coverage (10 sources)

Foreign Ministry: words of Russians declared wanted in Azerbaijan do not reflect Russia's position — Ведомости
Zakhrova stated about unfriendly to Russia narratives in Azerbaijan's information field — Коммерсантъ
Zakharova commented on Azerbaijan's announcement of journalists from Russia as wanted — Вести
Foreign Ministry: Russia will ensure protection of journalists' rights if necessary, those sought by Baku — Вести
Zakharova stated about unfriendly RF narratives in the information field of Baku — Вести
Russian Foreign Ministry commented on Azerbaijan's announcement to seek three Russian journalists — Интерфакс
Maria Zakharova in response to Baku's announcement of the wanted status of three Russian journalists pointed out that in the information field of Azerbaijan there are constantly unfriendly to Russia narratives. — ТАСС (Telegram)
Maria Zakharova in response to Baku's announcement of the wanted status of three Russian journalists pointed out that in the information field of Azerbaijan there are constantly unfriendly to Russia narratives. — ТАСС (Telegram)
Zakhrova stated that the RF will protect the interests of journalists declared missing by Azerbaijan — Москва 24
Wanted, but Not There — Рыбарь

Russia Denies Journalists' Statements Represent Its Position on…

Consensus

Points of divergence

Coverage (10 sources)

Key entities

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