Russia Evacuates Over 300 Citizens from Iran

TEHRAN, June 16, 2025 (LiT) – The Russian Embassy in Tehran says it has evacuated more than 300 of its citizens from Iran to Azerbaijan via the Astara border crossing, following Iran’s airspace closure due to the Israeli attacks on Iran that began Friday, June 13, 2025.

Mass Evacuation Conducted Over Two Days

The large-scale evacuation operation took place over two consecutive days through the strategic Astara border crossing between Iran and Azerbaijan. On June 14, the first group of 88 individuals crossed the land border, including a group of Russian artists.

The following day, June 15, saw a significantly larger group of 225 people safely crossing into Azerbaijan. This second wave included families of Russian diplomats, artists, and several citizens of multiple countries, including Belarus, Serbia, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.

Airspace Closure Prompts Emergency Response

The Russian Embassy in Tehran cited the unprecedented closure of Iran’s airspace as the primary reason for the evacuation operation. The airspace restrictions have severely disrupted international travel, leaving numerous travelers to and from Iran by conventional air travel.

The evacuation comes amid escalating military confrontation between Israel and Iran that began on Friday, June 13, 2025. At least 224 people have been killed and 1,277 hospitalized in Iran so far, according to the country’s health ministry.

More than 90 percent of the casualties have been civilians, highlighting the significant impact on non-combatant populations.