At least 25 Azerbaijani soldiers die in non-combat incidents this year

At least 25 Azerbaijani service members have died in non-combat circumstances so far this year, according to a regional military monitoring group.

The figures, compiled by the Caspian Defence Studies Institute (CDSI) up to 22 June, were released as the South Caucasus nation marked its annual Armed Forces Day.

The independent watchdog group said the deaths highlight a persistent issue with non-combat fatalities within the country's military and security forces.

Local media reports monitoring the casualties indicate that six soldiers died in road traffic accidents, five in other accidents, four from various illnesses, and four by suicide. The causes of the remaining six deaths have not been made public.

Of the accidental deaths, two individuals died from carbon monoxide poisoning, one drowned, one fell from a high-rise building, and another died in a landslide.

The CDSI data shows that the Ministry of Defence accounted for the highest number of casualties, with 15 fatalities.

A further six deaths were recorded within the State Border Service. The Internal Troops, the President's Security Service, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the State Service for Mobilisation and Conscription each recorded one death.

Among the deceased whose ranks were identified, eight were conscript soldiers. Officers, warrant officers, contract servicemen, and military cadets accounted for three deaths each, while the military status of the remaining victims is unconfirmed.

Non-combat deaths have long been a subject of public concern and civil society scrutiny in Azerbaijan. Last year, the institute recorded at least 43 non-combat deaths across the country's security and defence sectors.