A tragic plane crash involving an Azerbaijani commercial aircraft has drawn international attention and prompted diplomatic exchanges between Russia and Azerbaijan.
The incident, which occurred on Christmas Day, highlights the complexities of military activity and its unintended consequences during ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has apologized to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for the crash, which claimed 38 lives.
However, he stopped short of admitting Russian responsibility.
Struck By Russian Air Defense
In his first public comments, Putin described the event as a "tragic incident" that occurred while Russian air defense systems were actively repelling Ukrainian drones.
The aircraft, operated by Azerbaijani Airlines, was reportedly struck by Russian air defense systems as it attempted to land in Grozny, Chechnya.
The attack forced the plane to deviate over the Caspian Sea, eventually crashing in Kazakhstan. Of the 67 people on board, 38 lost their lives.
Survivors reported hearing loud explosions before the plane went down, suggesting it may have been hit by shrapnel from anti-aircraft missiles.
In a Kremlin statement, Putin expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
The Russian aviation authority cited "complicated conditions" in the region due to Ukrainian drone attacks, which coincided with the crash.
Azerbaijani officials, including the country’s transport minister, indicated that the plane had suffered "external interference" and sustained damage both internally and externally.
Although Azerbaijan has not formally accused Russia, aviation experts suspect GPS disruptions and shrapnel damage from Russian missile defenses.
The United States defense officials have stated they believe Russia is responsible for downing the plane. American analysis aligns with reports that electronic jamming and anti-aircraft systems played a role in the disaster.
During a phone call with Aliyev, Putin acknowledged that the plane had repeatedly tried to land in Grozny during active drone defense operations.
Russian investigators have launched a criminal probe, while Azerbaijan has announced its own investigation.
