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Tragedy in Taganrog Bay: Azerbaijani Lives Claimed in Vessel Attacks
On Friday, an overnight drone attack on two cargo ships in the Sea of Azov left five Azerbaijani crew members dead and three wounded. The commercial vessels Natra and Zircon were carrying 25 Azerbaijani nationals.
Ukrainian drone forces commander Robert Brovdi stated his units targeted the vessels for "stealing" Ukrainian grain and transferring military supplies, alleging the ships operated with radars disabled and names obscured.
Russia's Defense Ministry reported intercepting 123 drones across nine regions, Crimea, and the Sea of Azov between Thursday night and Friday morning. Separately, a Ukrainian airstrike in the Belgorod region village of Otradovsky killed one man and injured another.
Azerbaijani Embassy staff in Moscow are assisting survivors and arranging repatriation for the deceased. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin blamed Ukraine, stating the attacks came from "a well-known country."
The incident illustrates ongoing geopolitical strife impacting maritime safety in the region as Russia and Ukraine continue exchanging accusations regarding aerial and maritime drone use against civilian vessels.
Five Azeri citizens were killed in drone attacks targeting two cargo ships in the Azov Sea, announced on Friday the Baku authorities, Russia declaring in turn that this attack was carried out by Ukraine, reports AFP.
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SBS News Updates discuss Russia’s claim that Ukrainian drones struck Azov Sea cargo ships killing Azerbaijani crew, and Kyiv’s justification for the attacks