Putin Confirms Russia’s Responsibility in Shooting Down Azerbaijani Passenger Jet Killing 38
Headline: Russian President Putin Addresses Downing of Azerbaijani Plane, Pledges Accountability and Compensation
In a significant admission, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Russian air defenses were responsible for the downing of an Azerbaijani passenger jet in December, resulting in the tragic death of 38 individuals. The incident occurred on Christmas Day last year when missiles aimed at a Ukrainian drone inadvertently detonated near the Azerbaijani Airlines plane as it approached Grozny, the regional capital of Chechnya.
Details of the Incident and Investigation
During a meeting with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Mr. Putin explained that while the missiles did not directly hit the plane, they exploded approximately 10 meters away, likely as a self-destruction measure. The damage was thus primarily caused by debris from the missiles, which led the plane’s pilot to report a collision with a flock of birds to Russian air traffic control. This was later corroborated by data from the flight’s black boxes.
Mr. Putin stressed the necessity for a comprehensive investigation to determine the exact causes and to hold those responsible accountable. He assured President Aliyev that they are committed to providing compensation to the victims’ families.
Azerbaijan’s Response and Historical Context
Azerbaijani authorities initially reported that the passenger jet was unintentionally struck by Russian defense systems, prompting an emergency landing attempt in western Kazakhstan, where the aircraft ultimately crashed. This incident, which resulted in the loss of 38 out of 67 passengers, marks the second tragic aviation event related to Russia’s conflicts, reminiscent of the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 by a Russian missile.
President Aliyev had previously criticized Moscow’s handling of the incident, accusing it of attempting to downplay the severity. However, during the recent meeting, he expressed gratitude for Mr. Putin’s personal involvement in the ongoing investigation and attention to the issue at their bilateral meeting.
Commitment to Transparency and Justice
- President Putin pledged to punish those responsible for this tragic mistake.
- Both leaders underlined the importance of transparency and justice for the victims.
- Efforts are underway to ensure such incidents are prevented in the future through improved communication and defense protocols.
This acknowledgment from the Kremlin represents a significant development in Russian-Azerbaijani relations and underscores the complex geopolitical ramifications stemming from ongoing regional conflicts.
