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Five Azerbaijani citizens were killed and three others wounded Friday after Ukrainian drones struck two foreign cargo vessels operating in the Sea of Azov's Taganrog Bay area, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry confirmed, as Ukraine said the ships were illegally transporting stolen Ukrainian grain and military cargo from Russian-occupied ports.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada said 25 Azerbaijani nationals were among the crews of the two vessels, identified as Natra and Zirkon, which were not owned by Azerbaijani companies.
"The two cargo ships are not owned by the Azerbaijani state. According to information provided by Russian authorities, five Azerbaijani citizens were killed and three others wounded in the attack. The injured crew members were hospitalized in the Russian city of Yeysk," Hajizada said.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the Natra and Zirkon were sailing from Türkiye toward the port of Rostov-on-Don under the flags of Belize and Palau, respectively, when they were struck.
Several staff members from Azerbaijan's Embassy in Russia were dispatched to the scene. "The issues related to the condition of our citizens, their repatriation and the provision of necessary consular assistance are being closely monitored," Hajizada said.
The ministry expressed condolences to the families of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
Zakharova said the vessels were attacked by Ukrainian drones, calling the strike further confirmation of "the terrorist nature of the Kyiv regime, which increasingly targets civilians and civilian infrastructure."
She said Moscow was in close contact with the Azerbaijani Embassy and Foreign Ministry regarding the incident and would provide all necessary assistance to partners in obtaining information and ensuring consular access for Azerbaijani citizens.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin also attributed the strike to Ukraine in comments carried by Russian state media, speaking to journalists in St. Petersburg.
"We know very well who is using drones, both aerial and naval, to attack peaceful civilian vessels in the waters of the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea," Galuzin said, confirming when asked that he was referring to Ukraine.
The commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert Brovdi, said Ukrainian drones had struck five vessels overnight in the ports of Mariupol and Berdyansk and in the coastal waters of temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.
"The Unmanned Systems Forces' 1st Center drones struck five illegally loitering vessels during the night of June 5 in the ports of Mariupol and Berdiansk, and in the coastal waters of the temporarily occupied territories," Brovdi said.
Brovdi alleged the vessels were transporting stolen Ukrainian grain, military cargo and fuel with their radars switched off and their names concealed with paint.
"The occupiers' smuggling logistics must be stopped," he said. Brovdi did not specifically address Azerbaijan's statement that five Azerbaijani citizens were killed in the attack.
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