Azerbaijan provides consular support after deadly Sea of Azov drone attack

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said it is providing consular assistance to its citizens following a drone attack on cargo vessels in the Sea of Azov that left Azerbaijani nationals dead and injured.

The ministry said in a press release, cited by Caliber.Az, that immediately after receiving information about the incident on June 5, staff from the Azerbaijani Embassy in Russia were dispatched to the scene. Consular officials are currently in the city of Yeysk, where they are assisting affected and rescued Azerbaijani citizens.

“The condition of the injured is assessed as satisfactory, and some of them are expected to be discharged from the hospital in the near future,” the ministry said in a statement.

It added that search and rescue operations conducted by the relevant Russian authorities are ongoing, including efforts to identify those killed and complete necessary procedural steps.

“As part of the search and rescue operations carried out by the relevant authorities of the Russian Federation, efforts are ongoing to establish the identities of the deceased and to complete other necessary procedures,” the statement said.

The ministry also said steps are being taken to facilitate the return of survivors. “At the same time, the necessary measures are being taken to prepare documents for the rescued Azerbaijani citizens, in particular certificates for return, and to organise their return to the homeland,” it said.

According to the ministry, the situation remains under close monitoring, with coordination continuing across relevant agencies. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is keeping the situation under special control and coordinating efforts with the relevant agencies,” it said.

“Additional information regarding the identities of the deceased and the repatriation of their bodies to our country will be announced later,” the statement added.

By Tamilla Hasanova