Azerbaijani seafarers en route home after Azov Sea vessel attack

Nineteen citizens of Azerbaijan, members of the crews of vessels affected by drone attacks in the Azov Sea on June 5, have been sent back to their home country, according to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry’s statement.

The ministry said the group is expected to arrive in Azerbaijan on June 9 in the afternoon.

“Additionally, as a result of search and rescue operations, the bodies of Gismat Aliyev, born in 1969, and Fuad Orujov, born in 1981, were recovered. After the completion of the necessary procedures, it is planned in the coming days to send to our country the bodies of four Azerbaijani citizens, as well as two accompanying persons remaining in the city of Yeysk,” the Foreign Ministry said.

On June 5, 2026, Ukrainian drone strikes hit the Belize-flagged MV Natra and Palau-flagged MV Zirkon in Taganrog Bay of the Sea of Azov, with 25 Azerbaijani citizens serving as crew members on the two foreign-owned vessels.

The attacks resulted in the deaths of four Azerbaijani seafarers and left four others injured. The vessels, which were not owned by Azerbaijan, were travelling from Türkiye to Russia’s Rostov-on-Don in ballast to load grain.

Azerbaijani authorities coordinated with Russian officials for consular assistance, medical care for the injured in Yeysk, and the repatriation of the deceased.

By Jeyhun Aghazada