Baku, August 26, 2025 — Russian state TV host and chief Kremlin propagandist Vladimir Solovyov has once again sparked outrage with a reckless outburst on national television. During his program, Solovyov accused political analyst Sergey Markov of being linked to foreign intelligence and suggested that he should be jailed — implicitly branding him as “Azerbaijan’s agent.”
The smear comes amid a wider campaign in Russian media aimed at discrediting voices perceived as too friendly toward Azerbaijan. Observers note that Solovyov’s latest attack underscores a systemic bias against Baku and reflects the Kremlin’s growing unease over its waning influence in the South Caucasus.
A Propagandist’s Obsession with Azerbaijan
Solovyov’s comments follow a familiar pattern of inflammatory rhetoric. His attempts to drag Azerbaijan into internal Russian squabbles have become a hallmark of his television persona. Critics argue that such behavior reveals not only Moscow’s intolerance for dissent but also its use of state-controlled media as a political weapon.
Political expert Tofiq Abbasov, speaking to Oxu.Az, described Solovyov and his allies — including Yevgeny Satanovsky and Sergey Karnaukhov — as figures with clear Islamophobic and Turkophobic agendas. “They openly display hostility toward the Turkic and Islamic world. These individuals use Russian television as a platform for ideological sabotage, fueling tensions with countries like Azerbaijan and Turkey,” Abbasov said.
Why Markov Became a Target
Sergey Markov, once a loyal Kremlin insider and former State Duma deputy, has faced mounting pressure since attending a media forum in Shusha earlier this year, where Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev reaffirmed support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Markov neither protested nor contradicted Aliyev, which Kremlin hardliners interpreted as a betrayal. Shortly afterward, he was labeled a “foreign agent” by Russia’s Justice Ministry.
Dangerous Trend for Regional Stability
Analysts warn that such rhetoric not only strains Russia–Azerbaijan relations but also undermines prospects for regional stability. “If Moscow truly wants to maintain constructive ties with Baku, it should rein in propagandists who poison public opinion and incite hostility between nations,” Abbasov stressed.
