Russia urges its citizens to leave Iran via Azerbaijan Officals thank Baku for Evacuation Support

Due to the closure of Iran's airspace amid tensions with Israel, the Russian Foreign Ministry has issued a statement calling for its citizens currently in Iran to leave the country by crossing through the Astara border checkpoint into Azerbaijan

"In connection with the closure of Iran's airspace, Russian citizens can leave the country via the Astara land border crossing into Azerbaijan. From Israel, it is possible to leave for neighbouring Egypt (through the Menachem Begin/Taba checkpoint) or Jordan (through the Sheikh Hussein checkpoint)," the ministry said, as reported by Caliber.Az. 

However, the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that “due to Azerbaijan’s ongoing quarantine measures, the border with Iran remains officially closed.”

Russian citizens currently in Israel and Iran are advised to avoid approaching military and other government facilities.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Tatyana Moskalkova, announced on her Telegram channel that the first group of Russian and foreign nationals were evacuated from Iran following the escalation of tensions in the Middle East. 

“Thanks to the swift action of our diplomats, the first group of 86 individuals—including children and citizens of other friendly nations—was evacuated via the Astara checkpoint on June 14. On June 15, a safe border crossing was arranged for 238 Russians, including diplomatic families and cultural figures,” Moskalkova stated.

She expressed special gratitude to the Azerbaijani authorities “for their humanitarian attitude and comprehensive assistance in organising the evacuation.”

“My office continues to monitor the situation and is ready to respond promptly to any citizen appeals. I urge all Russians in the region to exercise maximum caution and to immediately contact Russian diplomatic missions in case of any difficulties,” she added.

Moskalkova emphasised the importance of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s recommendations to refrain from travelling to Israel and Iran and to leave dangerous areas without delay.

Echoing Moskalkova's sentiment, Russia’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mikhail Yevdokimov, also acknowledged the assistance from the Azerbaijani side, expressing deep gratitude to the country's authorities for transporting the evacuated Russian citizens to the capital, Baku, and for providing free accommodation.

"Starting Saturday [June 14], Russian citizens have been leaving Iran through Astara. Many thanks to the Azerbaijani side—they provided buses to transport Russian citizens to Baku. We are evacuating the families of staff from Russian missions and embassies, women, and children. The Azerbaijani side not only transported them to Baku but also provided free accommodation in the capital. We are deeply grateful,” he told Azerbaijani journalists in Baku, after a performance by the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra at the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall named after Muslim Magomayev.

He added, “This tragic event has shown who our true friends and partners are. There is a Russian proverb: 'A friend in need is a friend indeed.' In this time of crisis, our Azerbaijani brothers supported us and offered a helping hand. Tomorrow, most of the Russian citizens from our diplomatic missions—family members, children, and the orchestra that performed today—will fly to Moscow.”

The ambassador also revealed that the idea of the orchestra's performance in Baku was inspired by the warm reception in Azerbaijan.

"Honestly, at first I thought it wouldn’t be possible—it seemed complicated and time-consuming. But again, the Azerbaijani side, through the Ministry of Culture and the Philharmonic Hall, demonstrated outstanding organisational capabilities. The performance was arranged literally this morning. The orchestra arrived in Baku at 6 a.m., rehearsed after lunch, and performed today. It was heartwarming to see that not only was the hall full, but people were standing in the aisles and sitting on the steps. Once again, many thanks to our Azerbaijani brothers,” Yevdokimov concluded.

By Khagan Isayev