Modern.az website's “Last photo remaining from the martyr” column continues. This time, our presentation is dedicated to the dear memory of Lieutenant Colonel Raguf Orujov, known as the "Murov Eagle", who was martyred in the April battles.
According to the martyr's wife, Sevinj Orujova, Raguf Orujov's last photo with his family was taken on March 23, 2016 - the day after Novruz holiday.
On that day, Raguf Orujov came home in the evening. After meeting with his family, he said that he had an urgent matter and had to return.
“It was March 23, the day after Novruz holiday. He came in the evening and said, “I'm leaving, I have an urgent matter, I have to go back. I came to meet you.” I informed all relatives and brothers to come, Raguf has arrived. It's as if something is falling into a person's heart… One of his brothers' children was sick, he said they couldn't come to meet. But I said that no one is more important than Raguf, come and meet him.”
Sevinj Orujova recalls that all family members gathered together that evening. Raguf's arrival home was always considered a special day for the family.
“When Raguf came, it was like a holiday for us. We celebrated the holiday with Raguf. We all gathered, ate our meal. Then he said, “No, I have to go.” He got ready, put on his military uniform.”
The last photo was taken precisely when Raguf Orujov was preparing to leave the house. Sevinj khanim says that the children showed special interest in his military uniform and were proud of Raguf.
“My brother-in-law said, “Let's take a picture, let me take your picture with the children.” The three children in the picture are his brothers' children, and one is our Nihat, the child with glasses. The children were proud of him. They put on their glasses, all lined up and stood next to him.”
When the photo was taken, Raguf Orujov had already put on his military boots and was ready to leave the house. The last meeting of his family members with him was at that very moment.
“After that, we never saw Raguf again. What remained for us was this picture. It's good that my brother-in-law took it. Raguf had already put on his boots, he was leaving through the door. We saw him for the last time then.”
Although it was later thought that all four children in the picture were Raguf Orujov's children, three of them were his brothers' children.
“When we share the picture, everyone thinks we have four children. But three of them are Raguf's brothers' children. Anyway, all of them were like Raguf's children.”
According to Sevinj Orujova, the family saw Raguf Orujov for the last time on March 23. Approximately one week later, the April battles began.
“We saw him for the last time that day. After that, we could never see Raguf again. Approximately one week later, on the night of March 31 to April 1, the April battles began.”
Raguf Orujov was born on July 12, 1972, in the village of Cinli, Aghdam district. During the First Karabakh War, his family suffered heavy losses. His uncle Azer Rahimov was martyred in the battles, and his mother Raya khanim was martyred during the occupation of Cinli village in 1993.
Raguf Orujov, who was admitted to the Baku Higher Military Combined Arms Command School in 1994, completed his education in 1996 and began his service as an officer. The young officer, who preferred to serve on the front line, was assigned to Murovdag and served as the commander of the reconnaissance company. Lieutenant Colonel Raguf Orujov was martyred in the April battles of 2016. He was buried on April 5 in the Sumgayit Martyrs' Alley.
Raguf Orujov was awarded the 3rd degree “For Distinction in Military Service” medal in 1995, the “For Military Services” medal in 1998, the 3rd degree “For Impeccable Service” medal in 2003, the “90th Anniversary of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan” jubilee and 2nd degree “For Impeccable Service” medals in 2008, and the “95th Anniversary of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan” jubilee and 1st degree “For Impeccable Service” medals in 2013. He was posthumously awarded the “For Bravery” medal in 2016.
Raguf Orujov married Sevinj Alizade in 1999. They had two sons, Agshin and Nihat.
