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Vladimir Putin has apologized to Azerbaijan following the tragic downing of a passenger plane that claimed the lives of 38 people. In a call to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the Russian leader expressed regret over the incident, which occurred after Russian air defenses targeted the Azerbaijan Airlines flight.
The plane, which had been en route from Baku to Grozny, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, after being shot at over Grozny. Putin, while not explicitly confirming that Russia downed the aircraft, acknowledged that Russian air defenses were “active” at the time, as they were responding to a drone attack.
A Kremlin statement following the call confirmed that the two leaders discussed the incident in detail. “Vladimir Putin offered his sincere condolences to the victims’ families and wished a quick recovery to those injured,” the statement said. “It was emphasized that the Azerbaijan Airlines plane, following its scheduled route, had attempted multiple landings in Grozny.”
At the time, Grozny, Mozdok, and Vladikavkaz were under assault by Ukrainian drones, and Russian air defenses were reportedly repelling these attacks. The plane is believed to have been struck by a Pantsir-S air defense system.
In response, Russia’s Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case under Article 263 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to violations of transport safety rules. Investigations are ongoing, with officials from Russia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan cooperating at the crash site.
The White House earlier indicated that the plane was likely downed by Russian air defense systems, with National Security Spokesperson John Kirby confirming that “early indications” pointed to Russian involvement.
Meanwhile, Russian aviation officials, including Dmitry Yadrov, suggested that poor weather conditions, particularly fog, played a significant role in the crash. Yadrov explained that the aircraft had difficulty landing at Grozny and ultimately diverted to Aktau.
However, Azerbaijani politician Rashad Nabiyev has blamed the incident on Russian air defenses responding to a Ukrainian attack, a view that aligns with earlier claims that the flight was diverted due to the ongoing drone attacks.
The crash’s aftermath has brought heartbreaking stories, including the death of Chief Flight Attendant Hokuma Aliyeva, who was praised for her bravery in comforting passengers during the flight’s final moments. Tragically, she was among those who perished in the crash.
Azerbaijan Airlines has cited “physical and technical interference” as the cause of the crash and has suspended flights to several Russian airports pending further investigation.
Footage from the crash site has raised suspicions, as holes in the fuselage of the wrecked plane have fueled rumors that it may have been shot down by Russian air defenses. The investigation continues as more details emerge.