Putin apologizes to Azerbaijan following plane crash in Russia airspace News
DimitroSevastopol / Pixabay
Putin apologizes to Azerbaijan following plane crash in Russia airspace

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday issued an apology to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev following the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane in Russian airspace.

During a phone call, Putin expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and apologized that the incident occurred in Russian airspace. Putin noted that Russian air defense systems were being fired at the time of the incident, but there was no explicit indication that the Russian air defense systems were directly involved in downing the plane.

Investigations by authorities in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Russia are underway to determine the cause of the crash. Azerbaijani officials have suggested potential external interference, with some reports indicating that US intelligence has found early signs that a Russian anti-aircraft system may have struck the aircraft.

The incident occurred on December 25 and resulted in the deaths of 38 individuals. 29 people survived. The flight, designated J2-8243, was traveling from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, when it veered off course and crashed near Aktau in Kazakhstan. Reports indicated that the plane was attempting to land at Grozny airport but encountered difficulties due to Ukrainian drone attacks in the vicinity that prompted Russian air defense systems to engage. The Kremlin’s statement highlighted that the aircraft had made multiple landing attempts before the crash, underscoring the chaotic circumstances surrounding the incident.

The crash has raised significant concerns about air safety in conflict zones and has prompted calls for an independent international investigation. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas urged for a thorough inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the crash on Saturday.

The situation reflects broader tensions stemming from ongoing hostilities between Ukraine and Russia, which have increasingly impacted civilian life and aviation safety in the region. The region has seen heightened military activity due to ongoing tensions between the two countries since 2022, leading to increased risks for civilian aircraft operating nearby.

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