In a stunning accusation, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev claimed that Russia shot down an Azerbaijani passenger plane on Christmas Day, albeit unintentionally. The tragic crash killed 38 of the 67 people on board. Aliyev criticized Moscow for initially trying to “hush up” the incident and demanded an apology, admission of guilt, punishment for those responsible, and compensation.
The airliner crashed on Wednesday in Kazakhstan after being hit by fire from the ground over Russia. Aliyev stated that the plane was “rendered uncontrollable by electronic warfare.” He expressed frustration with the “delirious versions” put forward by Russian officials in the first three days following the crash.
Russia’s Response and Investigation
The Kremlin acknowledged that air defense systems were firing near Grozny, the capital of Russia’s Chechen Republic, where the plane attempted an emergency landing. They claimed the systems were activated to deflect a Ukrainian drone strike. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the crash a “tragic incident” and apologized to Aliyev, though he stopped short of taking full responsibility.
A joint investigation by Russia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan is currently underway at the crash site near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan. The plane had departed from Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, en route to Grozny when it unexpectedly turned toward Kazakhstan, hundreds of miles from its intended destination, before crashing during an attempted landing.
Survivors Report Loud Noises
Passengers and crew who survived the ordeal told Azerbaijani media that they heard loud noises coming from the aircraft as it circled over Grozny. Dmitry Yadrov, head of Russia’s civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, stated that Ukrainian drones were targeting the city amid deep fog as the plane prepared to land, prompting the closure of the airspace.
Second Aviation Tragedy Linked to Ukraine Conflict
This marks the second deadly civil aviation accident connected to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was downed by a Russian surface-to-air missile over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board. Russia denied responsibility, but a Dutch court convicted two Russians and a pro-Russia Ukrainian man in 2022 for their roles in the attack.
We can say with complete clarity that the plane was shot down by Russia … We are not saying that it was done intentionally, but it was done.
– Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev
Azerbaijan’s Demands and Ongoing Tensions
President Aliyev outlined three key demands for Russia in the wake of this tragedy:
- Apology from the Russian side to Azerbaijan
- Admission of guilt by Russia
- Punishment for those responsible and compensation to Azerbaijan, injured passengers, and crew
Aliyev noted that Putin’s apology partially fulfilled the first demand, but the other two remain unmet. He emphasized Azerbaijan’s preference for an international group of experts to investigate the crash, categorically refusing Russia’s suggestion to involve the Commonwealth of Independent States’ interstate aviation committee.
As the investigation continues and tensions simmer, the world awaits the final determination of what truly transpired on that fateful Christmas Day. The incident threatens to further strain the complex relationship between Azerbaijan and Russia, with far-reaching geopolitical implications for the region and beyond.
