Before the start of a new wave of military tension between the USA and Iran, Ukrainian diplomats and intelligence agencies carried out a clearly planned and operational evacuation of Ukrainian citizens who found themselves in the potential strike zone
Even prior to the American airstrike on facilities in Iran, more than 170 Ukrainians, as well as citizens of other countries, were evacuated from Israeli territory. According to an official source – President Volodymyr Zelenskyy – the Ukrainian diplomatic corps and intelligence agencies executed this operation with maximum speed and safety. A total of 176 Ukrainians, who were in various regions of Israel, were evacuated to countries safe for their further stay. According to the President, the evacuation from Israeli territory was organized in the shortest possible time, taking into account regional tensions and the possibility of rapid development of events. Additionally, Ukrainian officials announced that the process of evacuating citizens from Iran would be intensified, including from its territory to neighboring Azerbaijan. This aims to reduce risks and prevent possible negative consequences for Ukrainian citizens in the country, which is currently under potential threat due to the ongoing military conflict. It is worth noting that, besides Ukrainians, citizens of other countries were also evacuated. Sources report that Moldovan, Latvian, Estonian, Azerbaijani, and even American nationals participated in this operation. This confirms a high level of international coordination during this challenging period of heightened regional tension. In light of this important operational measure, it is also worth recalling that the situation in the Middle East intensified just before the massive US airstrikes against strategic targets in Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump made the public and the global community witnesses to escalation, declaring that the US Air Force conducted strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, including the most protected site – Fordow, which is a key center of Iran’s nuclear potential. This event caused widespread resonance on the international stage, as Iran remains one of the critical regional players capable of shifting the balance of power in the Middle East. At the same time, the presence of Ukrainian citizens in this region and their early evacuation serve as a testament to the country's readiness to respond to any challenges and to ensure the safety of its nationals even in the most difficult situations. Overall, the situation remains tense: all parties are awaiting further developments amid recent strikes and new diplomatic and military actions. Ukraine actively cooperates with international partners to ensure the swift and safe evacuation of its citizens and to prevent losses. This demonstrates a high level of responsibility and capacity of the Ukrainian government to act in crisis situations, safeguarding its citizens during the most challenging moments in contemporary history.