Azerbaijani police raided Sputnik's Baku bureau, detaining staff including the editor-in-chief and director. The raid follows escalating tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia after two ethnic Azerbaijanis died during a Russian police operation in Yekaterinburg. Azerbaijan claims Sputnik operated illegally after its accreditation was revoked. Russia condemned the actions as an unfriendly act and the illegal arrest of journalists. The incident is the latest escalation in worsening relations between the two countries.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.