Russian delegation evacuated from Iran thanks Azerbaijan before departing Baku

A Russian delegation, consisting of diplomatic and academic representatives evacuated from Iran, is preparing to depart from Baku to Moscow.

The group is scheduled to take off at 15:50 local time and is expected to arrive at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow at 18:25, according to Elina Sidorenko, a member of the Russian Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights and a professor at MGIMO, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

Sidorenko confirmed that the Azerbaijani authorities have covered all expenses related to the delegation’s accommodation in Baku.

"Thanks to my Azerbaijani colleagues. Everything was organized in a very good hotel. Food was organized, excellent rooms," she added.

She added that the delegation remained calm throughout the evacuation process and were focused on reaching a safe location.

“No one panicked, and everyone understood the importance of acting in an organised manner,” Sidorenko said.

The delegation is reported to be in generally good health, with no cases of injuries or health complications recorded during their stay in Azerbaijan.

As a reminder, Russia evacuated 14 scholars from Iran to Azerbaijan amid rising tensions linked to the Iran-Israel conflict.

According to the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the group had been attending a BRICS academic conference when hostilities escalated.

The delegation included senior researchers such as Vasily Kuznetsov of the Institute of Oriental Studies and Yevdokiya Dobreva of IMEMO RAS.

After being moved to the Russian Embassy compound in Iran, the scholars were safely transported out via Azerbaijan. This follows earlier evacuations of Russian oil sector workers and their families through the Astara crossing.

By Aghakazim Guliyev