Massive Crackdown on Russian Mercenaries!

Azerbaijan’s recent arrests of homegrown Wagner fighters signal a bold departure from Moscow’s sphere of influence and a new era of assertive sovereignty in the South Caucasus. By prosecuting citizens who joined Russia’s notorious mercenary force, Baku has undercut one of the Kremlin’s most controversial tools of hybrid warfare. Simultaneously, Azerbaijan is deepening security ties with Kyiv—sending demining equipment and publicly snubbing Russian envoys—demonstrating a clear strategic pivot toward the West. This crackdown not only dismantles a key pillar of Russian soft and hard power at home but also sends a message to neighboring states that allegiance to Moscow is no longer assured. With its decisive actions, Azerbaijan is rewriting the post-Soviet playbook, establishing itself as a regional actor unafraid to challenge Kremlin dominance. The move could inspire other former Soviet republics to reevaluate their own relationships with Russia’s shadow networks.