Russian President Vladimir Putin has apologized to his Azerbaijani President, Ilham Aliyev, for the fact that the plane crash happened in Russian airspace.
‘President Vladimir Putin apologized for the tragic incident that occurred in Russian airspace and once again expressed his deep and sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured,’ the Kremlin stated.
According to the statement, the crash happened while Russian air defense systems were actively engaged in countering Ukrainian drone attacks near Grozny.
However, Mr. Putin did not acknowledge that Russian defenses might have struck the civilian aircraft.
The plane, en route from Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital, to Grozny in Russia’s Chechnya region, was forced to divert towards Kazakhstan, and crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan. .
The incident, which occurred on December 25, 2024, claimed the lives of 38 individuals, with 29 passengers surviving the ordeal.
Speaking for the Azerbaijani leader, officials said ‘President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that the Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane encountered external physical and technical interference while in Russian airspace, resulting in a complete loss of control.’
Azerbaijani prosecutors are already on the ground in Grozny assisting a Russian Investigative Committee with the probe.
Meanwhile, experts have pointed out multiple holes in the plane’s fuselage and injuries consistent with foreign object penetration during flight.
US officials and aviation experts have also weighed in, noting early indications that Russian air defense systems might be responsible for the crash. This led to calls from various quarters, including the European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, for a swift and independent international investigation.
The crash has elicited international response, with several airlines suspending flights to Russia, reflecting heightened safety concerns. Azerbaijan Airlines and Israeli Airlines’ EL AL,’ among others, have grounded flights to multiple Russian airports until further notice, citing the need for clarity and security in air travel.
Putin speaks with Kazakhstan’s President
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that President Vladimir Putin had a phone conversation with Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan.
The statement further said that Kazakhstan’s government commission, which is investigating the details of the accident, will bring in experts from Russia, Azerbaijan, and Brazil to read the flight recorders found at the crash site, and it will be done in an objective and transparent manner.
The incident has also reignited discussions on the safety of civilian flights amidst ongoing military activities, particularly in regions close to conflict areas. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has voiced concerns, urging Russia to provide ‘clear explanations’ and to stop spreading disinformation about the incident.