Yuri Bocharov: January 20 was a trial that changed the fate of Baku residents and revealed human solidarity

Israeli political analyst Yuri Bocharov, who was born and raised in Baku and received his education there, shared his memories and reflections on the January 20 tragedy with The Daily Baku.

According to him, January 20, 1990 has not remained in his memory as just a date. For him today, it lives on as the faces of people buried in Baku during those days, the tragic fate of friends and neighbors, and heavy memories filled with the pain and losses that engulfed the city. The political analyst emphasized that those events left a deep mark on the fate of Baku and its residents and became an unforgettable ordeal that showed how suddenly life could change for an entire generation.

“We were living in Baku at that time and witnessed what was happening with our own eyes. Fear, confusion, deep pain, and the complete helplessness of the central authorities of what was once called a ‘great country’ were felt very clearly. This system, struggling to save itself, was no longer capable of protecting people. It was precisely during those days that a harsh truth became evident – the great state was collapsing.”

Bocharov stressed that although he was far away, he never lost his human and spiritual bond with the city. During those days, he saw how true residents of Baku supported one another regardless of nationality or religion. “The real Baku was this very solidarity, and it remains so today. We remember everyone. January 20 is an eternal day of mourning for us.”

In the political analyst’s view, the only light in these painful memories is Azerbaijan’s subsequent path: “What gives comfort today is that our city and Azerbaijan were able to pass through these severe trials, grow stronger, and, under the leadership of national leaders, become a strong state. Today Azerbaijan is recognized and has a voice not only in the region but across the world.”

He noted that despite being a citizen of Israel, his connection to Azerbaijan has not changed: “We love Baku and Azerbaijan for their culture of tolerance, brotherhood, and respect for human beings. These values have never been mere slogans here; they have been a way of life. Therefore, the memory of January 20 is not only the pain of loss but also a lesson that reminds us of the price of human dignity, solidarity, and making the right state and human choices.”

He emphasized that even though he lives far away, he has never lost his human and spiritual bond with Baku.