Putin Offers Apology to Azerbaijan’s President Following Fatal Plane Crash

Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended an apology to Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, in the wake of a tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of 38 individuals. The incident involved an Azerbaijan Airlines flight attempting to land in Grozny, Chechnya, when it was forced to divert due to active Russian air defense systems countering Ukrainian drone attacks in the area.

The crash, which occurred on December 25, 2024, saw the aircraft crash near Aktau in Kazakhstan after it could not land at its intended destination. Putin’s apology was conveyed during a phone call with Aliyev, where he expressed his “deep and sincere condolences” to the victims’ families and wished a speedy recovery for those injured. The Kremlin’s statement highlighted that the plane had made multiple landing attempts at Grozny airport amid the drone attacks.

This rare public apology from Putin comes as there are mounting allegations suggesting that the plane might have been accidentally shot down by Russian air defenses. While Putin did not explicitly admit fault, the acknowledgment of active air defense systems at the time of the crash has fueled speculation. Azerbaijani officials, including President Aliyev, have indicated the plane encountered “external physical and technical interference” in Russian airspace, though they’ve stopped short of directly blaming Russian defenses.

The incident has led to a criminal investigation by Russia’s Investigative Committee, with both civilian and military specialists being questioned. Azerbaijan, for its part, has already launched its own investigation, and the two countries, along with Kazakhstan where the crash occurred, are said to be cooperating closely on the matter.

In response to the crash, several airlines have suspended flights to various Russian cities, citing safety concerns. This event has not only strained diplomatic relations but has also sparked a broader discussion on the safety of air travel over conflict zones.

As the investigation continues, the international community watches closely, hoping for transparency and accountability in understanding the exact cause of this tragic incident.