The deaths of two brothers in Russian custody have laid bare a diplomatic rift with Azerbaijan, as it challenges Moscow's dominant role in the South Caucasus and establishes itself as a regional power.

Azerbaijan has suspended all planned cultural events in collaboration with Russian state and private organizations following the deaths of two Azerbaijani citizens during a police raid in Yekaterinburg, Russia.

Azerbaijan has cancelled all planned cultural events hosted alongside Russian state and private organizations, the country's Culture Ministry announced on June 29, over the deaths of two Azerbaijani citizens during police raids in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg.