Ukrainian FM accuses Moscow of intentional strikes on Azerbaijani assets
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha regards the repeated attack by Russian occupiers on the property of the Azerbaijani state oil company SOCAR in Ukraine as a targeted action by the Russian Federation against the interests of Azerbaijan and states the need to give them an appropriate diplomatic and legal response.
"This night, Russians struck SOCAR oil terminals in the Odesa region. Second Russian strike on the Azerbaijani state company in recent weeks. Moscow does this on purpose, acting against Azerbaijan's interests. This once again demonstrates the importance of the new level of cooperation between Ukraine and Azerbaijan, as well as the need for appropriate diplomatic and legal responses to such attacks," Sybiha said on X on Monday.
As reported, due to a Russian strike by the Shahed drones on the night of Monday, August 18, the fuel base of the Azerbaijani company SOCAR was destroyed in Odesa region, and a powerful fire broke out at the enterprise. As a result of the massive attack, all 17 tanks with a total volume of over 16,000 cubic meters were damaged at the oil depot, as well as the pumping station building, operator and weighing, and technical premises. According to preliminary information as of Monday morning, there were no deaths or injuries.
The occupiers have attacked the infrastructure of the Azerbaijani company for the second time in a month. On August 8, about 10 Russian drones were launched at the same oil depot, which caused partial destruction. Then, according to media reports, four people were injured, they are company employees.
Shortly after the attack, a telephone conversation took place between the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. On August 11, Aliyev signed an order allocating $2 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The money will be used to purchase energy equipment.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, in a conversation with the Speaker of the Milli Mejlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sahiba Gafarova, expressed solidarity in connection with the repressions against Azerbaijanis in Russia and the attacks on SOCAR facilities in Ukraine.
