Russian President Vladimir Putin has formally apologized to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for the downing of a commercial airliner in Russian airspace, which resulted in 38 fatalities. However, Putin stopped short of admitting Russian responsibility for the incident, which has drawn international scrutiny.
The tragedy unfolded on Christmas Day when an Azerbaijan Airlines jet, Flight J2-8243, was struck while attempting to land at Grozny airport in Chechnya. Forced to divert across the Caspian Sea, the aircraft crash-landed near Aktau in Kazakhstan. Of the 67 passengers on board, most were from Azerbaijan, along with others from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
In a rare public apology, Putin referred to the event as a "tragic incident," attributing it to the actions of Russian air defense systems repelling Ukrainian drones in the region. “At the time, Grozny, Mozdok, and Vladikavkaz were under attack from Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, and Russian air defense systems were repelling these attacks,” Putin said, without directly admitting that Russian missiles had struck the plane.
The Kremlin’s statement on Saturday confirmed that Putin had expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and wished the injured a swift recovery. It also noted that Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russian agencies were working together on the investigation.
Ukraine Accuses Russia of Disinformation
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly rejected Russia’s explanation, accusing the Kremlin of spreading disinformation. “The damage to the aircraft's fuselage is very reminiscent of an air defense missile strike,” Zelensky stated, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation to uncover the truth.
Survivors of the crash reported hearing loud explosions before the plane went down, further fueling speculation that Russian air defense missiles were involved. Aviation experts and Azerbaijani officials suggested that GPS systems may have been disrupted by electronic jamming, leaving the plane vulnerable to missile shrapnel.
Global Repercussions and Investigations
The downing of the plane has led to widespread condemnation and the suspension of flights between Azerbaijan and most Russian cities until the investigation concludes. US defense officials have also indicated their belief that Russia was responsible for the crash.
Azerbaijan’s transport minister stated that the plane suffered “external interference,” while aviation authorities in Russia described the airspace over Chechnya as “very complicated” due to ongoing Ukrainian drone strikes.
Moving Forward
Both Azerbaijan and Russia have launched parallel investigations into the incident, and international aviation safety agencies are expected to monitor the case closely.
The downing of Flight J2-8243 underscores the growing risks to civilian aviation in conflict zones and has reignited calls for better international safeguards. While Putin’s apology marks a diplomatic gesture, many questions remain unanswered as investigators work to uncover the full truth behind this devastating event.
Stay updated with Worldopress for the latest developments on this story.
Commenti