Russia expresses regret over damage to Azerbaijani embassy in Kyiv Points to Ukrainian air defence error

Russia has expressed regret over damage to the Azerbaijani embassy in Kyiv, following a meeting between Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin and Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Russia, Rahman Mustafayev.

According to the press service of the Russian Foreign Ministry, during the talks, Moscow said it had carefully reviewed an appeal from Baku, submitted on November 14, regarding the damage to buildings, property, and grounds of the Azerbaijani diplomatic mission in Kyiv.

“The Russian side expresses sincere regret over the incident. At the same time, based on available information, it has been established that the damage to the embassy complex in Kyiv most likely resulted from the incorrect operation of Ukrainian armed forces’ air defence systems, presumably the fall of a Patriot missile,” the statement read.

The incident follows the earlier diplomatic protest on 14 November, when Azerbaijani authorities summoned Russian Ambassador Mikhail Evdokimov after an Iskander missile struck the embassy grounds around 1 a.m. Kyiv time.

A formal note was delivered to the ambassador, citing full destruction of part of the embassy fence, damage to buildings and vehicles, and significant harm to the consular section and embassy territory.

Azerbaijani officials highlighted that such missile attacks, which violate international law, had occurred previously.

By Aghakazim Guliyev