In recent weeks, Russian forces have “systematically” targeted facilities owned or operated by SOCAR in Ukraine. The Aug. 8 strike involved five Shahed drones, igniting a fire at the oil depot and halting parts of its operations. An earlier attack in late June damaged a key gas facility along the Trans-Balkan pipeline, which had begun delivering Azerbaijani gas to Ukraine in late July.

The Aug. 10 phone call between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky focused on condemning the strikes and reaffirming bilateral cooperation. “These are deliberate attacks not only on these facilities, but also on our cooperation,” Zelensky said, adding that both sides intended to continue joint projects despite the assaults.

Energy Ties And Potential Military Shift

Before Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Azerbaijan supplied Ukraine with drones, armored vehicles, and other military equipment. Since then, Baku has adopted a formal stance of avoiding lethal aid to either side, while delivering humanitarian assistance, energy equipment, and financial support worth over $40 million by mid-2025.

Analysts note that sustained Russian strikes on Azerbaijani-linked infrastructure could mark a turning point, pushing Baku to resume arms deliveries to Kyiv. Such a move would represent a significant shift in Azerbaijan’s carefully balanced position in the conflict.