BAKU: Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev has accused Russia of being responsible for the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash in Kazakhstan on December 25. The tragedy claimed 38 lives out of 67 passengers onboard.
Aliyev alleged that the aircraft was damaged due to fire from the ground in Russia and electronic warfare systems that disrupted its controls. Speaking on national television, he criticized Moscow for attempting to conceal the truth about the crash.
Russia’s Role in the Incident
According to Aliyev, the civilian aircraft encountered external interference near Grozny, in Russia’s southern Chechnya region, before losing control and crashing. He stated, “The Azerbaijani plane was damaged from the outside, and its tail suffered severe damage due to ground fire.”
While Aliyev acknowledged that the incident might not have been a deliberate act of terror, he emphasized the need for Russia to take responsibility.
Putin’s Response
Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his apologies to Azerbaijan in a phone call but stopped short of admitting that Russian forces were responsible. The Kremlin stated that Russian air defences were active at the time due to a reported Ukrainian drone attack in Grozny.
Despite Putin’s apology, Azerbaijan remains firm in its stance that the plane was subjected to external physical and technical interference.
Demands for Accountability
Azerbaijan’s transport minister, Rashad Nabiyev, revealed that survivors reported hearing three explosions before the crash. Baku has demanded a full investigation into the incident to ensure those responsible are held accountable.
Call for Transparency
Aliyev stressed the importance of Russia acknowledging its role and apologizing publicly. “Admitting guilt and informing the public should have been immediate steps,” he said.
The crash has strained relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, raising concerns over the safety of civilian aircraft in conflict zones.
