Five Azerbaijani citizens were killed and three injured in attacks on two cargo vessels in the Sea of Azov. Ukraine stated its drones struck five ships involved in "stealing" Ukrainian grain and transferring military cargo, with Russia blaming Ukraine for the attacks and offering condolences to the victims' families.
The incident highlights the risks to civilian maritime traffic and third-country nationals in the conflict zone, potentially escalating diplomatic tensions between involved nations.
Five Azerbaijani citizens were killed and three others injured in attacks on two cargo vessels in the Sea of Azov, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry reported. The ministry stated that the crews of the vessels, which were hit in Taganrog Bay, included a total of 25 Azerbaijani citizens, but the ships themselves were not Azerbaijani-owned. Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin blamed Ukraine for the attacks on cargo vessels and expressed condolences. Earlier on Friday, Ukraine announced that its drones had targeted five ships in the ports of Mariupol and Berdyansk, as well as in the coastal waters of Russian-controlled territories. Robert Brovdi, the commander of Ukrainian drone forces, claimed that his drones had successfully hit dry cargo ships and a tanker involved in 'stealing' Ukrainian grain and transferring military cargo and fuel, noting that the ships had their names painted over and their radars turned off.