Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a rare apology on Saturday to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for what he described as a "tragic incident" that led to the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane in Kazakhstan. The crash, which occurred on Wednesday, claimed the lives of 38 people while 29 others survived, leaving many unanswered questions about the circumstances surrounding the disaster.
The aircraft was en route from Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, to Grozny, the regional capital of Russia's Chechnya, when it diverted toward Kazakhstan and crashed during an attempted landing near the city of Aktau. Survivors recounted hearing loud noises aboard the plane as it circled over Grozny before the crash. These accounts have fueled speculation about the involvement of Russian air defense systems, which were reportedly active at the time.
The Kremlin confirmed that Russian air defense systems were engaged in repelling a Ukrainian drone attack on Grozny, Mozdok, and Vladikavkaz during the time of the crash. However, it stopped short of explicitly admitting that these defenses were responsible for bringing down the aircraft. "(President) Vladimir Putin apologized for the tragic incident that occurred in Russian airspace and once again expressed his deep and sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured," the Kremlin said.
Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 had altered its route due to reported drone attacks in southern Russia. Aviation experts and Azerbaijani officials, including Minister Rashan Nabiyev, have pointed to external weaponry as a probable cause of the crash. White House national security spokesman John Kirby echoed these suspicions on Friday, suggesting that Russian air defenses may have inadvertently targeted the passenger jet.
The incident highlights the growing risks to civilian aviation in regions affected by the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The use of sophisticated air defense systems to counter drone attacks poses significant hazards to commercial flights operating in these contested airspaces.
The Azerbaijani government has called for a thorough investigation, demanding clarity on whether Russian air defense measures were directly involved. Survivors' accounts of loud noises before the crash have added urgency to uncovering the truth. For now, neither Putin nor the Kremlin has acknowledged any direct responsibility for the tragedy, focusing instead on expressing condolences and a commitment to assist with the aftermath.
