Putin Confirms Russia’s Role in Azerbaijan Airlines Tragedy Killing 38
Breaking News: Putin Admits Russian Responsibility in Azerbaijan Airlines Crash
Tragedy Strikes on Christmas Day Flight
In a significant development, Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly acknowledged that Russian air defenses were responsible for the downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane last December. The incident resulted in the tragic loss of 38 lives among the 67 passengers onboard. Putin made this revelation during a meeting with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, coinciding with a summit of former Soviet nations.
Details of the Devastating Crash
The ill-fated passenger jet was en route from Baku to Grozny, the capital of the Russian republic of Chechnya, when it was mistakenly shot by Russian air defense systems. Despite attempts to make an emergency landing in western Kazakhstan, the aircraft crashed, leading to the catastrophic loss of life. This admission marks the first time Russia has formally taken responsibility for the incident, though earlier apologies were made by Putin to Aliyev.
Diplomatic Reactions and Criticisms
During the meeting, both leaders were captured on video shaking hands and engaging in a cordial exchange. President Aliyev, however, has been outspoken in his criticism of Moscow, accusing Russia of attempting to downplay the incident. In response, Putin assured that Russia is committed to compensating the victims and conducting a thorough investigation to uncover the true causes of the crash. “Our duty is to provide an objective assessment and identify the actual causes,” Putin emphasized.
Preliminary Investigation Findings
| Component | Status |
|---|---|
| Stabilizers | Damaged |
| Hydraulics | Damaged |
| Trim Systems | Damaged |
A preliminary report, published on a Kazakh government website following the crash, highlighted significant damages to the aircraft, including its stabilizers, hydraulics, and trim systems. Photographic evidence included in the report revealed numerous punctures on the tail section’s port side and fragments described as “foreign metal objects” extracted from the stabilizer and hydraulic system.
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Stay tuned with Emegypt for further developments on this story as more information becomes available. Our international correspondents are committed to delivering comprehensive coverage of this evolving situation.
