Azerbaijan Airlines Crash in Kazakhstan: Azerbaijani President Accuses Russia and Demands Confession

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev accused Russia of shooting down an Azerbaijan Airlines plane in Kazakhstan and covering up the incident. He calls for apologies, admission of guilt, and compensation. Russia's President Putin acknowledged the situation but did not accept responsibility. An international investigation is ongoing amid rising tensions and concerns over air safety.

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Azerbaijan Airlines Crash in Kazakhstan: Azerbaijani President Accuses Russia and Demands Confession
Ilham Aliyev and Vladimir Putin during a previous visit of the Kremlin leader to Baku

In a shocking turn of events, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has leveled serious accusations against Russia regarding the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash that occurred on December 25, 2024, in Kazakhstan. Aliyev claims that the aircraft was mistakenly shot down by Russian forces and that Moscow attempted to conceal the true causes of this tragedy.

Aliyev's Accusations

The Azerbaijani President asserts that the Embraer 190 aircraft suffered significant damage while flying over Russian territory near Grozny, Chechnya. According to him, the plane fell victim to two incidents:

  1. Russian electronic warfare systems disrupted the aircraft's communications, nearly causing it to lose control.
  2. Ground fire severely damaged the tail of the aircraft.

Aliyev emphasizes that while the incident was accidental, he criticizes Russia for attempting to cover up the affair for several days.

Russia's Response

Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly apologized to Aliyev during a phone call on December 28. However, Russia has not explicitly admitted responsibility for the incident. Putin described a "very complicated situation" due to Ukrainian drone attacks in the region when the plane was attempting to land in Grozny.

Azerbaijan's Demands

Aliyev has put forward three demands to Russia:

  1. Present official apologies to Azerbaijan.
  2. Admit guilt.
  3. Punish those responsible, prosecute them, and pay compensation to the Azerbaijani state as well as to injured passengers and crew members.

International Investigation

An international investigation is underway, involving experts from various countries, including Russia and Brazil. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is also expected to participate in the investigation.

Aviation Consequences

Following this incident, several airlines, including Flydubai, Qazaq Air, and El Al, have suspended their flights to Russia.

International Reactions

The United States has indicated having "preliminary indications" suggesting that the plane may have been shot down by Russian air defense systems. The European Union has called for a "swift and independent" investigation.

This incident has raised tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia, traditionally close allies, and has sparked concerns about air safety in the region. As the investigation unfolds, the international community awaits more details about this tragic event that resulted in 38 fatalities and 29 survivors.

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