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Azerbaijan has been attacked by drones from Iran: what you need to know and how to prepare for escalation
Against the backdrop of the US and Israeli operation, Tehran is launching unpredictable drone strikes on neighbouring countries — today, drones reached Azerbaijan, where civilian infrastructure has already been damaged. The situation is escalating every day. Find out what safety rules will help tourists in an emergency
On 5 March, the Middle East crisis entered a new phase of escalation. Iran launched a drone strike on Azerbaijani territory. This attack may be part of Tehran's large-scale and chaotic response to the ongoing military operation by the United States and Israel.
The strike on Nakhchivan and Baku's response
On Thursday, drones launched from the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran attacked the Azerbaijani Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. One of the drones hit the building of Nakhchivan International Airport and exploded, causing a severe fire, which was captured on video by eyewitnesses. According to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, another Iranian drone crashed in the immediate vicinity of a school building in the village of Shekarabad. As a result of these attacks, two civilians were injured.
The Azerbaijani authorities regarded the incident as a gross violation of international law and an encroachment on sovereignty. The Iranian ambassador in Baku was immediately summoned to the Foreign Ministry to receive a strong note of protest, and the Ministry of Defence stated that the attack would not go unanswered and that specialists were now actively studying the technical parameters of the UAV crash.
At the same time, Baku is taking unprecedented security measures. Additional forces are being deployed to the Iranian border, which stretches for more than 700 kilometres. Part of the Azerbaijani army has been placed on high alert, military leave has been cancelled, and additional air defence systems are being deployed to prevent new air provocations. At the same time, the authorities emphasise that these manoeuvres are purely defensive in nature.
Geopolitical chaos in the Middle East
After the start of the joint US-Israeli military operation against Iran, official Tehran resorted to chaotic strikes against neighbouring states in an attempt to destabilise the entire region.
Oil depots and civilian facilities in the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have already been hit by Iranian missiles and drones. In Turkish airspace, air defence systems were forced to intercept missiles flying from Iran. The escalation has even reached the Mediterranean: on the island of Cyprus, Iranian forces attempted to attack a British military base with missiles and drones.
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Ukraine's position: ‘Iranian drones are an instrument of terror’
Ukraine, which suffers daily from attacks by similar UAVs, expressed its full solidarity with Azerbaijan. The Ukrainian Embassy in the Republic of Azerbaijan published an official statement, recalling that it was these weapons that the Iranian regime transferred to Russia for strikes on Ukrainian cities.
‘Iranian drones have long been an instrument of terror... Ukraine is well aware of the threat posed by regimes that disregard international law, dignity and human life. We express our support and solidarity with Azerbaijan,’ the diplomatic mission said in a statement.
The diplomats also quoted Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga, who stressed that the Iranian regime has been terrorising the region for decades and bringing instability to other countries, while Ukraine has always remained on the side of the Iranian people.
Safety instructions for Ukrainians and tourists
Due to the risk of further deterioration of the situation, tourists and temporarily displaced persons from Ukraine are strongly advised to remain calm and trust only official sources of information.
Key recommendations:
Refrain from travelling to the southern regions of Azerbaijan bordering Iran, as well as to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Check in advance the location of the nearest bomb shelters or safe areas in your hotel and always keep an ‘emergency bag’ with your foreign passports, cash, basic first aid kit and a charged power bank at the ready.
If you plan to stay in the country for a long time, be sure to register with the consulate through the ‘DRUG’ system on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
Where to go for help
In case of an emergency, Ukrainian citizens can contact the Embassy of Ukraine in Azerbaijan:
📞 Information by phone (except for consular issues): +99 412 449 40 95
📠 Fax: + 99 412 449 40 96
📧 Embassy email: [email protected]
📧 Consular section email: [email protected]
Special attention should be paid to financial and medical security. In unstable conditions, access to medical services abroad may be more difficult or more expensive. That is why travel insurance for traveling abroad is not a formality, but a real tool for protection. Ukrainians can purchase it online through Visit Ukraine before traveling to avoid additional risks in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Reminder! The escalation of the conflict in the Middle East has affected the safety of travel to Cyprus, Egypt and the UAE. Find out what recommendations are currently in place, whether flights are being cancelled and what risks you should consider before travelling in 2026.
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