Baku, Azerbaijan – Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has accused Russia of inadvertently shooting down an Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed last week, killing 38 people. In a statement aired on Azerbaijani state television, Aliyev criticized Moscow for attempting to downplay the incident, which he claimed was caused by Russian ground fire and electronic warfare systems.
The plane, en route from Baku to Grozny, crashed in Kazakhstan after straying off its scheduled path. President Aliyev clarified that the act was not intentional but insisted that Russia was responsible, stating, “We can say with complete clarity that the plane was shot down by Russia… We are not saying that it was done intentionally, but it was done.”
Aliyev expressed frustration over Russia’s initial explanations, which ranged from bird strikes to oxygen tank explosions, accusing Russian officials of trying to “hush up” the issue. He revealed that Azerbaijan had made three demands to Russia following the crash: an apology, an admission of guilt, and compensation for the Azerbaijani state and the victims’ families.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had already apologized to Aliyev for what he termed a “tragic incident,” but this gesture did not satisfy Azerbaijan’s demands for a full acknowledgment of responsibility.
The incident has sparked increased diplomatic tension between the two nations, with Azerbaijan rejecting Russia’s proposal for the crash to be investigated by the Interstate Aviation Committee, which is predominantly composed of Russian officials. Instead, Azerbaijan calls for an international investigation to ensure impartiality.
Azerbaijan Airlines has since suspended flights to Russia, citing security concerns, a move that reflects the broader implications of this incident on regional air travel and international relations.
This event has led to a wave of discussions on social media and among political analysts, with many focusing on the implications for Russo-Azerbaijani relations and the safety of civilian air travel in conflict zones.
