Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed regret on Saturday regarding the crash of an Azerbaijani Airlines plane, while refraining from confirming that Russian fire was responsible for the incident. He acknowledged that Russian air defenses were active when the passenger plane was attempting to land in Grozny before it ultimately crashed in western Kazakhstan.
Putin conveyed his apologies to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during a telephone discussion, calling the event a “tragic incident.” However, the Kremlin avoided stating explicitly that Russian air defense was involved in the downing of the aircraft. Prior to this, Moscow indicated that Grozny, where the plane was supposed to land, was under attack from Ukrainian drones at the time of the crash.
Aliyev insisted to Putin that the plane was struck by external forces attributed to Russia. The sentiment on the streets of Baku reflected a strong desire for an official apology from Russia, with many residents expressing their expectations.
According to a Kremlin transcript, Putin informed Aliyev that the plane had made multiple attempts to land in Grozny while Russian air defenses were engaged in repelling drone attacks in the region. During the conversation, he expressed deep condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished for the swift recovery of the injured.
Aliyev’s office reinforced its stance on the incident, stating, “The Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane encountered external physical and technical interference while in Russian airspace, resulting in a complete loss of control.” The presidency noted that evidence from the surviving passengers and crew, as well as damage to the aircraft, suggested outside interference.
Survivors reported hearing an explosion as the plane approached the runway. Baku has called for an investigation to ensure accountability for the tragedy.
In a call with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Putin committed to participating in an “objective and transparent” investigation into the crash. Speculation around the incident has escalated, with the United States suggesting there are “early indications” that the plane was shot down. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joined Aliyev in urging global pressure on Russia, likening the situation to the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, which was hit by a missile fired by Russian-backed forces in 2014.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas noted that the crash serves as a “stark reminder” of the MH17 disaster and called for a prompt international inquiry.
Following the incident, several airlines, including flydubai and El Al, have suspended flights to Russia, reflecting a broader trend of Western carriers halting services to the country since the onset of its military actions in Ukraine.
Kazakhstan, traditionally a Russian ally, has remained relatively restrained in its response, though some Azerbaijani officials have demanded an apology from Moscow. Azerbaijani lawmaker Rasim Musabekov called for Russia to take responsibility, indicating a strong desire for accountability in the aftermath of the crash.
The atmosphere in Baku remains somber, with citizens mourning the loss of life just before the New Year. Calls for public apologies have been echoed throughout the city, with many drawing parallels to the region’s contentious history.
Meanwhile, officials from Kyrgyzstan visited survivors in Aktau, Kazakhstan, sharing footage of recovery efforts as they prepared to transport those injured back home. Several survivors and victims were repatriated to Baku late Friday.
