Transfer of Azerbaijani equipment to Ukraine as humanitarian aid 'puzzling': Russia

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - A diplomatic source from the Russian Foreign Ministry said the transfer of transformers and generators to Ukraine by Azerbaijan as humanitarian aid is "puzzling", according to a state media report on Thursday.

"Such a step on the part of Baku is puzzling. As part of a special military operation, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are destroying the critical infrastructure of Ukraine, which is used by the Kyiv regime for military needs. Azerbaijani supplies, which are unlikely to fundamentally change the situation, do not amount to humanitarian aid," TASS reported citing a source from the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Azerbaijan announced on Sunday that Baku sent humanitarian aid consisting of basic electrical equipment to the people of Ukraine, in order to restore the stable supply of electricity to affected areas in the country.

“A truck convoy carrying the first part of 45 power transformers and 50 generators provided by AzerEnerji JSC departed today from the territory of the Gobu Energy Junction with the participation of the ambassador of Ukraine to our country and representatives of AzerEnerji JSC,” a statement from the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry read.

The statement comes amid protests by Azerbaijani ecologists representing NGOs since Monday against the illegal exploitation of natural resources located in mines in the Karabakh region where a Russian peacekeeping contingent is stationed.​​​​​​​