Chechnya is among the Russian regions introducing a drone-piloting standard under the GTO physical fitness programme as part of the federal project Na Vysote! (“At Altitude!”). According to the Vedomosti newspaper, the initiative aims to “popularise” drone piloting among young people and train specialists for the unmanned aircraft industry. Russian officials have also openly acknowledged that the skills acquired could be used in the war against Ukraine.
The cyber attack on a number of Azerbaijani media resources, which occurred on February 20, was organized from the Russian Federation. This was stated by the chairman of the commission of the Parliament of Azerbaijan on countering external interference and hybrid threats, Ramid Namazov. According to him, the cyberespionage group APT29 ("Cozy Bear", also known as "Midnight Blizzard" and "The Dukes"), which is connected to Russian structures, is behind the attack.
According to the results of the analysis carried out after the attack, it was established that the possible reasons are the termination of the Russian House in Baku and the abolition of the representative office of the media holding "Russia Today" (Sputnik) in Azerbaijan.
"This causes regret," complained Namazov, adding that such actions contradict the Declaration on Allied Cooperation between Baku and Moscow, as well as the spirit of bilateral relations.