Russia evacuates citizens as Israel-Iran conflict boils over

Russia has evacuated its citizens from Iran and closed its consulate in Tehran following Israel’s deadly airstrikes.

Diaspora Digital Media reported that the strikes hit Iranian military and nuclear targets early Friday, June 13, 2025, prompting a fierce response from Tehran.

Iran also reportedly launched several missiles toward Israeli cities, raising fears of all-out war.

The Russian embassy said it was suspending consular services immediately due to the dangerous security situation.

“Consular services are temporarily suspended. We’ll announce resumption later,” the embassy posted on Telegram on Sunday, June 15.

Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova confirmed the evacuation of musicians from Iran.

She said the Tchaikovsky Grand Symphony Orchestra crossed into Azerbaijan safely.

“They are safe. They crossed the Azerbaijani border,” she wrote on Telegram.

She also said a Russian film crew left Iran by the same route.

“Fyodor Bondarchuk’s film team departed yesterday,” Lyubimova added.

Russia’s civil aviation authority banned all flights to Iran and Israel.

The agency advised airlines to avoid airspace over Jordan and Iraq too.

The flight suspension lasts until at least June 26, according to officials.

Russia issued strong travel warnings before the Israeli strikes began.

The Israeli government said the strikes aimed to stop Iran’s nuclear weapons program.

Iran responded with multiple waves of ballistic missile attacks targeting Israeli territory.

Most of the missiles were intercepted, but tensions remain high.

President Vladimir Putin condemned Israel’s actions and warned against further escalation.

“This is a dangerous escalation in the Middle East,” Putin said in Moscow.

Putin maintains relations with both Iran and Israel, but tensions test his neutral stance.

Russia is now urging calm but preparing for more instability.

Diplomats say Moscow’s influence may not be enough to stop further conflict.

With airspace closed and embassies locked, the region faces growing diplomatic fallout.

Analysts warn that if strikes continue, other countries may be forced to act.

The international community has called for immediate de-escalation.

However, neither Iran nor Israel has shown signs of backing down.

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