Russian MFA on drone attack on ships: Moscow is in contact with Azerbaijan

Russia has said it is maintaining close contact with the Azerbaijani Embassy in Moscow and Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry following reports that Azerbaijani citizens were killed and injured in a drone attack on two cargo vessels in the Sea of Azov.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova made the statement on June 5, commenting on reports of an attack on the motor vessels Natra and Zircon, which were sailing from Türkiye to the Russian port of Rostov-on-Don under the flags of Belize and Palau, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

Zakharova said Russian authorities are working with Azerbaijani diplomatic representatives to clarify the circumstances of the incident and provide consular access to affected citizens.

“The Russian side will provide all necessary assistance to our partners in obtaining information about the circumstances of the incident and ensuring consular access to Azerbaijani citizens,” she said.

According to Zakharova, preliminary information from Russian authorities indicates that the vessels were targeted by Ukrainian drones in the early hours of June 5.

“The circumstances of the incident are being investigated. According to available data, the vessels were attacked by Ukrainian drones,” she said, adding that the incident “confirms the true nature of Kyiv, which is increasingly targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.”

The statement follows reports from Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs that five Azerbaijani nationals were killed and three others injured in a drone attack on the two vessels in the Taganrog Bay area of the Sea of Azov. The ships were carrying a total of 25 Azerbaijani crew members, although neither vessel is Azerbaijani-owned.

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson also said that injured crew members received assistance from a passing Russian vessel and personnel from Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) Border Guard Service.

“There are fatalities and injuries on both vessels, including citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan,” Zakharova said, extending condolences to the families of those killed and wishing the injured a swift recovery.

By Sabina Mammadli