The Azerbaijan Airlines flight downed on Christmas Day has ignited calls for Russia to acknowledge its role in the crash, which left 38 dead, as officials demand accountability and reparations.
Russia Faces Pressure Over Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crash Accountability
Russia Faces Pressure Over Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crash Accountability
Azerbaijan's leadership demands transparency and responsibility from Russia following a tragic plane incident.
Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev is urging Russia to accept responsibility for the plane crash that occurred on Christmas Day, resulting in the deaths of 38 individuals. The flight, en route from Baku to Grozny, was reportedly struck by Russian air defense systems while attempting to land in Chechnya, leading to an emergency diversion to Kazakhstan where the crash ultimately unfolded.
In response to the incident, President Putin extended an apology to Aliyev but refrained from explicitly taking responsibility. Aliyev, while recognizing the apology, insisted that Russia "must admit its guilt" and compensate the victims' families.
The Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243, carrying 67 passengers—including many from Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan—encountered complications as it neared Chechnya. There are allegations that Russian forces accidentally shot at the plane while responding to drone threats from Ukraine, leading to a cascade of accusations from both sides.
Aliyev criticized the Russian government's initial handling of the incident, suggesting attempts at misinformation, where officials proposed outlandish theories regarding gas cylinder explosions and bird strikes, which he termed "absurd." He underscored the need for a thorough investigation into the crash and insisted on accountability from the implicated parties.
Putin acknowledged the "tragic incident" while reiterating that Russian air defenses were engaged against actual Ukrainian drone attacks at the time of the crash. Despite this, he did not confirm that Russian fire caused the plane's destruction.
Azerbaijan has positioned itself as a strategically cooperative ally to Russia, yet the president expressed that this tragic incident casts significant doubt on the sincerity of their bilateral relations. As the nation mourns, honoring the crew and passengers lost, Aliyev demands that Russia not only admit wrongdoing but also employ measures to punish those responsible for the errors that led to the collision.
