Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued an apology to Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev for a "tragic incident" involving an Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed in Kazakhstan, killing 38 people. The incident occurred on December 25, 2024, when the Embraer 190 aircraft, flying from Baku to Grozny, diverted and attempted to land in Aktau, Kazakhstan, due to adverse conditions or an onboard emergency.
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The crash, which saw the plane come down in a fiery explosion, has been attributed by several sources to a possible strike by Russian air defense systems. While the Kremlin has not explicitly confirmed this, Putin's apology marks an unusual acknowledgment of the incident's severity and his regret over it occurring in Russian airspace. "Vladimir Putin apologized for the fact that the tragic incident occurred in Russian airspace and once again expressed his deep and sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured," stated a Kremlin release. The plane was hit by what is believed to be shrapnel or an anti-aircraft missile, leading to the crash near Aktau, approximately 3 kilometers from the airport. This incident unfolded at a time when Russian air defenses were actively engaged, allegedly countering Ukrainian drone attacks in the region. The Kremlin has only noted that "at the time, Grozny, Mozdok, and Vladikavkaz were being attacked by Ukrainian combat drones, and Russian air defense systems were repelling these attacks," without directly admitting that their defenses hit the civilian aircraft.
Azerbaijan's President Aliyev, during a conversation with Putin, emphasized that the plane had encountered "external physical and technical interference while in Russian airspace," leading to its complete loss of control. This statement from Azerbaijan adds weight to the theory of external damage, possibly from air defense systems. The aircraft's fuselage showed signs of external impact, and the injuries sustained by passengers and crew were consistent with shrapnel or missile fragments penetrating the cabin mid-flight. In response, Azerbaijan has declared a national day of mourning, and both Azerbaijani and Kazakhstani authorities, along with Russian investigators, have launched a joint investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the crash. The black boxes from the aircraft have been retrieved, which should provide crucial data regarding the last moments of the flight.
The apology from Putin, while not admitting direct responsibility, is significant given the geopolitical sensitivities between Russia, Azerbaijan, and the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. It has prompted calls from various international bodies, including NATO, for a transparent and thorough investigation into the crash. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also demanded that Russia provide "clear explanations," highlighting the need for accountability in such incidents. The tragic event has overshadowed the diplomatic relations between Russia and Azerbaijan, with both nations now focused on ensuring that such an incident does not recur. The incident underscores the risks associated with civilian flights in areas where military activities are prevalent, raising broader questions about air safety and the protocols governing air defense systems in conflict-adjacent regions.