Putin apologizes over ‘tragic’ Azerbaijan Airlines crash, without admitting responsibility

Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized for the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines flight in Russian airspace but stopped short of accepting responsibility for the incident. The tragedy unfolded on Wednesday when the aircraft, unable to land in Grozny, Chechnya, diverted and crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, killing 38 people.

The aircraft, carrying passengers from Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, reportedly encountered challenges after entering Russian airspace. Survivors included two children.

According to the Kremlin, Russia’s air defense systems were active during the plane’s attempted landing in Grozny, as Ukrainian combat drones reportedly targeted areas including Grozny, Mozdok, and Vladikavkaz.

The plane, after multiple failed landing attempts, crashed en route to Kazakhstan.

While the exact cause remains unverified, evidence points to external interference:

• A US official told CNN that early indications suggest a Russian anti-aircraft system may have downed the jet.
• Videos and images from the crash site show perforations in the plane’s fuselage, consistent with shrapnel damage.
• Aviation analyst Miles O’Brien noted that damage around the holes appeared to result from an explosion near the aircraft’s tail.

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev stated that external interference led to the crash, citing evidence from an investigation into the fuselage damage, injuries caused by foreign particles, and survivor accounts.

Putin, in a call with Aliyev, extended condolences and acknowledged the tragedy. However, he attributed the incident to heightened defensive measures amid drone attacks in the region.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly condemned Russia, asserting that the aircraft showed signs of a strike by an air defense missile. Zelensky called on Moscow to provide clear explanations and cease spreading disinformation.

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also received Putin’s condolences.

In the aftermath, at least five airlines, including Azerbaijan Airlines and Flydubai, have temporarily suspended flights to areas in Russia, citing safety concerns.

Russia’s investigative committee has opened a criminal case into the crash, as international scrutiny mounts over Russia’s air defense systems and their potential role in the tragedy.