Drone strike on Azov cargo ships kills five sailors

An overnight drone attack on two commercial vessels in the Sea of Azov has killed five Azerbaijani sailors and injured three others, according to officials from Azerbaijan. The strike occurred in the early morning hours in Taganrog Bay, a northeastern section of the sea bordered by Russia's Krasnodar region.

Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry identified the affected ships as the cargo vessels Natra and Zircon, stating they were carrying a crew of 25 Azerbaijani nationals at the time of the attack. The ministry noted the ships are not Azerbaijani state property. The injured crew members were transported to a hospital in the Russian city of Yeysk, and Azerbaijani diplomatic personnel have been dispatched to assist with medical care and repatriation of the deceased.

Ukraine later acknowledged carrying out strikes against several vessels in the Azov Sea. Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, published footage he said showed attacks on five ships operating in the area. He stated the targeted vessels, which included cargo ships and tankers, had their names painted over and radars turned off. Ukrainian military officials said the ships were allegedly involved in...