Azerbaijani President Accuses Russia of Role in Fatal Plane Crash
Baku: Tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia have escalated following Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s explosive claim that a Russian air-defense system fired on an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet before its fatal crash in Kazakhstan, killing 38 of the 67 people on board.
Speaking to state media at Baku airport, Aliyev accused Moscow of initially attempting to cover up the cause of the disaster, demanding that Russia take responsibility and issue a public apology.
“Damaged from the Outside”
Aliyev alleged that the AZAL flight was struck by Russian fire near Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, while electronic warfare systems further destabilized the aircraft. He said the plane’s tail suffered severe damage, resulting in a near-total loss of control.
While he acknowledged the incident may have been accidental, Aliyev expressed outrage at what he described as Moscow’s efforts to obfuscate the truth.
“For three days, all we heard were absurd theories, like the plane hitting a flock of birds,” Aliyev said. “The fuselage is riddled with holes—this is no accident caused by birds.”
Strong Demands for Accountability
The Azerbaijani leader laid out strict conditions for Russia to mend ties, including a formal apology, an admission of guilt, punishment for those responsible, and compensation for the victims and the state.
“Our plane was hit, and then they tried to cover it up. This is unacceptable,” Aliyev declared in unusually harsh criticism of his long-time ally.
Moscow’s Response
The Kremlin acknowledged the incident during a phone call between Aliyev and Russian President Vladimir Putin, but it stopped short of admitting responsibility. Instead, Putin described the crash as a “tragic incident” and called for a transparent investigation.
Russian officials have suggested that Ukrainian drones were operating in Grozny at the time, potentially complicating the situation.
Rising Tensions
The crash has cast a shadow over Azerbaijani-Russian relations, with Aliyev’s fiery rhetoric signaling a rare strain in their traditionally cooperative ties. As the investigation unfolds, the international community watches closely, waiting to see if Moscow will address Azerbaijan’s demands or if this incident will mark a deeper rift between the two nations.
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