Russian President Vladimir Putin extended an apology on Saturday, December 28, to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev over what he called a "tragic incident" following the crash of an Azerbaijani airliner in Kazakhstan, which claimed 38 lives. However, Putin stopped short of admitting Moscow’s responsibility amid growing allegations that the aircraft was struck by Russian air defense systems.
The crash has ignited widespread speculation that Russian air defenses, engaged in deflecting a Ukrainian drone attack near Grozny in Chechnya, mistakenly targeted the plane. Survivors reported hearing loud noises onboard before the crash, and aviation experts cited the damage to the aircraft's fuselage—punctures and dents consistent with an air defense missile—as evidence of external interference.
The Azerbaijani airliner, en route from Baku to Grozny, was rerouted to Kazakhstan’s Aktau airport after two failed landing attempts in Grozny due to fog and airspace closure. The crash left 29 survivors with injuries reportedly caused by “foreign particles penetrating the cabin mid-flight,” according to Azerbaijani President Aliyev.
A Kremlin statement revealed that Russian air defense systems were active near Grozny airport during the incident but did not confirm that they had struck the plane. Putin apologized for the incident occurring in Russian airspace and announced a criminal investigation. Azerbaijani prosecutors have joined Russian and Kazakh officials at the crash site to conduct a joint probe.
Dmitry Yadrov, head of Russia’s civil aviation authority, stated that Ukrainian drones targeting Grozny had necessitated the closure of the airspace. He claimed that the captain of the ill-fated flight, after two failed landing attempts in Grozny, opted to fly to Aktau.
Azerbaijan Airlines attributed the crash to "physical and technical interference" and temporarily suspended flights to certain Russian airports. However, it did not specify the source of the interference. Meanwhile, Azerbaijani and U.S. officials have echoed suspicions that the crash resulted from a missile strike.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also weighed in, demanding clarity from Russia. "Photos and videos clearly show the damage to the aircraft’s fuselage, including punctures and dents, which strongly point to a strike by an air defense missile," he posted on X.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with officials from Russia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan collaborating. The incident underscores the risks posed by escalating tensions in the region and the potential for civilian casualties amid military activities.
As the situation unfolds, both Russia and Azerbaijan face pressure to provide transparent findings and ensure accountability for the tragedy.
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