MFA Azerbaijan @AzerbaijanMFA
Translated from Turkish
Response by Ayxan Hajizadeh, Head of the Press Service Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to the local media's question regarding the shelling of ships carrying Azerbaijani citizens in the Sea of Azov
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https://mfa.gov.az/az/news/no24226
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English Translation:
No: 242/26
Statement by Aykhan Hajizadeh, Head of the Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in response to a question from local media regarding the attack on ships carrying Azerbaijani citizens in the Sea of Azov
05 June 2026 13:17
Question: There are reports that on the night of 5 June, the cargo ships “Natra” and “Zirkon” were attacked by unmanned aerial vehicles in the Taganrog Bay of the Sea of Azov, resulting in the deaths of Azerbaijani citizens who were part of the crews. We would like to know the position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this matter.
Answer: Tonight, two foreign cargo ships, with a total of 25 Azerbaijani citizens among their crews, were subjected to drone attacks. We would like to note that these ships do not belong to the Azerbaijani state.
As a result of the attack, we have received information from the Russian side that a total of 5 of our citizens were killed and 3 were injured. The injured have been hospitalized in the city of Yeysk.
Currently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is carrying out coordination work with our relevant state institutions, our country’s diplomatic missions, and the competent authorities of the respective countries regarding this issue. Several employees of our embassy in Russia have departed for the scene of the incident. The situation of our citizens, their return to the country, and the provision of necessary consular support are being kept under attention.
We express our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.
5:21 AM · Jun 5, 2026
https://x.com/AzerbaijanMFA/status/2062827051527401947