Russians evacuated from Iran to arrive in Baku, return to Moscow planned

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Nearly 200 Russian citizens, including scientists and a symphony orchestra, were evacuated from Iran and crossed into Azerbaijan after hours of waiting at the border, a Russian Human Rights Council member said Sunday.

Elina Sidorenko, who also heads the White Internet non-profit organization, told RIA Novosti that the group was part of a BRICS educational expedition and included delegates from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and other affiliated organizations.

“There were about 200 of us at the border, including 14 scientists … and a symphony orchestra was with us," Sidorenko said.

“We waited a very long time for the Iranian border to open, it took about four hours. After that, we crossed the border on foot, and already in Azerbaijan, comfortable buses were waiting for us, which would take us to a hotel in Baku," she said.

The Russian Education and Science Ministry confirmed the evacuation of 14 scientists from the Iranian-Israeli conflict zone as part of efforts to ensure their safety amid escalating regional tensions.

Sidorenko said the group will depart from Baku to Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport on Monday.

Tensions in the region escalated after Israel launched large-scale strikes on Iranian targets early Friday, prompting several countries to update their travel advisories and arrange evacuations of their nationals.