Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended his apologies to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev following the tragic downing of an Azerbaijani airliner in Russian airspace, resulting in the loss of 38 lives. However, Putin’s remarks notably omitted any direct admission of Russian responsibility for the incident.
The Christmas Day crash occurred as the plane reportedly came under fire from Russian air defense systems while attempting to land in Chechnya. Diverted across the Caspian Sea, the aircraft crash-landed in Kazakhstan, leaving 38 of the 67 passengers dead. Survivors recounted hearing loud bangs before the crash, fueling suspicions that the plane was targeted by missiles.
In his first public statement on the matter, Putin described the event as a “tragic incident,” linking it to Russia’s defense efforts against Ukrainian drone strikes. The Kremlin’s official statement emphasized Putin’s condolences to the victims’ families and his wishes for the injured to recover, but avoided confirming whether a Russian missile was responsible.
Aviation experts and Azerbaijani officials suspect electronic jamming disrupted the plane’s GPS systems, leading to its misrouting and subsequent damage from missile shrapnel. While Azerbaijan has refrained from formally accusing Russia, the country’s transport minister cited “external interference” as the cause of the aircraft’s damage.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, criticized Russia’s narrative, accusing it of spreading disinformation. Zelensky asserted that the plane’s damage strongly resembled the aftermath of a missile strike and called for a thorough investigation to clarify the circumstances.
U.S. defense officials have also suggested Russian responsibility, aligning with evidence of missile-related damage to the aircraft’s fuselage.
The Kremlin has confirmed the launch of a criminal investigation into the incident, while Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have announced parallel probes. Collaborative efforts among Russian, Azerbaijani, and Kazakh investigators are underway at the crash site in the Aktau region of Kazakhstan.
During his conversation with Aliyev, Putin acknowledged the plane’s multiple attempts to land at Grozny airport in Chechnya amid Ukrainian drone attacks on Grozny, Mozdok, and Vladikavkaz. These attacks prompted intense Russian air defense activity, which Moscow claims inadvertently contributed to the tragedy.
The incident underscores the growing risks of civilian casualties amid escalating regional tensions. Both nations have expressed commitment to uncovering the truth, but calls for clear accountability remain a focal point for the international community.
