Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged that Russia was responsible for the tragic crash of an Azerbaijani plane that resulted in the death of 38 people on Christmas Day. Initially denying any involvement, Putin revealed that Russian air defenses mistakenly fired at the Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet while targeting a Ukrainian drone, causing two missiles to explode near the aircraft, leading to what he described as a “technical malfunction.”
In a bid to ease tensions between the two countries following the incident, Putin publicly admitted responsibility during discussions with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The ill-fated jet, en route from Baku to Grozny in Chechnya, crashed near Aktau in Kazakhstan, claiming the lives of 38 out of 67 passengers on December 25. Putin pledged to hold those accountable for the tragedy and provide compensation, stating these actions would not bring back the lives lost.
Expressing gratitude for Putin’s handling of the situation, Aliyev had accused Moscow of trying to downplay the crash earlier. Officials in Baku had initially claimed that Russian fire accidentally struck the Embraer 190 jet before it attempted an emergency landing in western Kazakhstan. This incident strained relations between Moscow and Baku, already fraught due to previous conflicts.
Both leaders expressed hopes for positive outcomes in their bilateral talks and cooperation. The importance of relations with Azerbaijan has grown for Russia, especially amid ongoing tensions with Ukraine. Azerbaijan, a critical transport route for Russian trade with the Middle East, has become pivotal for Russian economic interests. Additionally, Azerbaijan’s strong ties with Turkey further support economic activities between the countries.