On June 5, Aykhan Hajizade, the Spokesperson of Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, stated that five Azerbaijani citizens were killed and three others injured following a drone strike on two foreign cargo vessels in the Sea of Azov. The incident reportedly involved attacks during the night on the vessels Natra and Zirkon in Taganrog Bay, where Azerbaijani nationals were among the crew. Hajizade emphasized that a total of 25 Azerbaijani citizens had been on board the two ships, while noting that neither vessel belonged to Azerbaijan. "According to information received from the Russian side, five Azerbaijani citizens were killed in the attack, while three others were injured. The injured have been hospitalized at the city hospital in Yeysk," he said. He added that Azerbaijani diplomatic missions and state institutions had immediately begun coordinating with relevant foreign authorities in response to the incident.

Hajizade stressed that embassy staff from Azerbaijan in the Russian Federation were dispatched to the site, and that consular support was being provided in Yeysk. He noted that efforts were underway regarding the return of citizens, documentation procedures, and ongoing medical assistance. "The situation involving our citizens, their return to Azerbaijan, and the provision of necessary consular support are under special supervision," he emphasized. Hajizade also conveyed condolences to the families of those killed and wished the injured a speedy recovery, underlining that the situation remained under close oversight by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On the same day, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Russia was maintaining contact with the Azerbaijani Embassy in Moscow and the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry regarding the incident, confirming ongoing coordination between the sides.

On June 6, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that measures were being taken to facilitate the return of Azerbaijani citizens affected by the attack. The ministry noted that embassy consular staff were present in Yeysk, where they were assisting injured and rescued citizens, some of whom were expected to be discharged as their condition was described as stable. It was also stated that Russian search and rescue operations were continuing, including identification procedures for the deceased. The ministry added that documentation for survivors, issuance of return certificates, and repatriation arrangements were being processed, while all affected citizens were accommodated in a hotel in Yeysk and remained in contact with their families.

On the same day, updated information from the ministry clarified that among the 25 Azerbaijani nationals involved, four had been killed and four injured. It was also established that one individual previously listed as deceased was not an Azerbaijani citizen and had no Azerbaijani origin, but was instead a Russian citizen. According to the statement, the bodies of Rajab Akhadov (born 1976) and Muhammad Aliyev (born 1997) had been recovered, while two other fatalities remained unconfirmed as the vessel Zirkon was still at the site due to explosion risk. The ministry noted that full confirmation would only be possible after search operations concluded. Regarding the injured, Samid Ibadzada (born 1998) and Rashad Madatkhanov had already been discharged, while Emin Valehov (born 2002) and Namig Jafarli (born 1999) were reported to be in good condition and expected to leave hospital soon. Azerbaijani diplomatic staff continued to provide assistance on-site, with all citizens relocated to Yeysk and supported with temporary travel documents where needed.

On June 7, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated that embassy personnel had been deployed immediately after reports of casualties emerged. It confirmed that consular officers in Yeysk were continuing to assist injured and rescued citizens, while coordination with Russian authorities remained ongoing for identification procedures and recovery operations. The ministry also stated that preparations for documentation and repatriation were continuing under special supervision.