Putin apologizes after Azerbaijan Airlines crash in Russian airspace
Russian President Vladimir Putin offered an apology to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev after an Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashed in Russian airspace.
According to an official statement from the Kremlin, Putin and Aliyev discussed the incident, which initial investigation reports attributed to "external physical and technical interference." Azerbaijan's Minister for Digital Development and Transport suggested that the plane was struck by a projectile, citing expert analysis and testimonies from survivors who reported hearing external hits to the aircraft.
On the Russian side, officials acknowledged that a drone attack was underway in the area where the Azerbaijan Airlines flight was heading, but they did not respond to claims that the crash was caused by Russian air defense actions in response to a Ukrainian attack. While Putin did not explicitly accept responsibility for the plane’s downing, the Kremlin's official statement mentioned the external interference in the plane's destruction.
"The initial conclusion from the Azerbaijani side is that external interference occurred. The type of weapon used during the impact will be determined during the investigation," stated Azerbaijan’s Minister of Transport, Rashad Nabiev.
Survivors from the flight reported hearing loud noises as the plane circled over Grozny before experiencing sudden impacts. A flight attendant recounted hearing a "hit" from outside the plane just before being injured. Other survivors spoke of two explosions and moments of chaos before the plane began descending and eventually crashed.
An Azerbaijani Member of Parliament blamed Moscow for the tragedy and called for an official apology. "Azerbaijan expects an official response from Russia regarding the incident. Expressions of regret and an investigation are not enough. Azerbaijan seeks an explanation, apology, and compensation from Russia," said Rasim Musabekov.
The plane, traveling from Baku to Grozny, failed to land at its intended airport and was not accepted at nearby alternatives. The aircraft deviated toward Kazakhstan over the sea and crashed while attempting to land. The crash resulted in 38 deaths and left 29 survivors, all injured. If the plane’s downing is confirmed to be caused by Russian air defense, this would mark the second deadly civil aviation disaster linked to the conflict in Ukraine. The 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, attributed to Russian-backed separatists, was referenced in the context of this tragedy.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
