Azerbaijan Accuses Russia of Covering Up Cause of Deadly Plane Crash, Claims Aircraft Was Shot Down
Azerbaijan Accuses Russia of Covering Up Cause of Plane Crash, Claims Aircraft Was Shot at from Russian Territory
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has accused Russia of trying to cover up the true causes behind the tragic crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines jet earlier this week, which resulted in the deaths of 38 people out of the 67 passengers aboard. In a statement made on Sunday, December 29, 2024, Aliyev asserted that the crash was the result of the plane being accidentally shot at from Russian territory. The crash occurred in the vicinity of Grozny, a region in southern Russia, and caused widespread international concern.
The jet was en route to Kazakhstan but tragically lost control mid-flight and crashed on December 27. Aliyev pointed to the fact that the civilian aircraft had been severely damaged from the outside, emphasizing that electronic warfare systems had disrupted the plane’s control system. He further stated that fire from the ground had also struck the aircraft, causing significant damage to its tail section. The President of Azerbaijan expressed his deep disappointment over Moscow’s refusal to openly acknowledge Russia’s possible role in the incident.
Earlier in the week, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered a partial apology but stopped short of accepting responsibility for the crash. Putin acknowledged the tragedy but declined to admit that Russian fire had struck the plane. Despite this, Moscow insisted that Grozny, the intended destination of the flight, was hit by Ukrainian drones on the same day of the crash, leading to further speculation about Russia’s involvement.
Aliyev expressed regret over Russia’s response, particularly criticizing Moscow’s theories that suggested alternative explanations for the event, which Azerbaijan believes were attempts to deflect blame. He stressed that while the crash may have resulted from an accidental strike, there was no reason to dismiss the possibility that Russian forces were responsible for the incident. Aliyev made it clear that he hoped Russia would openly admit any wrongdoing, promptly issue an apology to Azerbaijan, and provide the public with a full explanation of the events surrounding the crash.
The tragedy has drawn attention on the international stage, with various countries, including the United States, suggesting that the Azerbaijani plane was accidentally shot down. While the investigation continues, the government of Azerbaijan has called for a thorough probe into the matter and for Russia to take responsibility for the accident, which occurred on foreign soil.
This plane crash, which occurred near the Russian city of Grozny, has sparked strong reactions from both Azerbaijan and international observers. While both nations initially showed signs of cooperation, tensions have risen following the incident. Azerbaijan’s leadership continues to insist that Russia should take full responsibility and provide a clearer explanation of what went wrong that day, particularly in relation to the fire and electronic disruptions that seem to have contributed to the crash.
In the wake of the disaster, Aliyev reiterated the need for transparency in the investigation and reaffirmed his desire for the truth to be revealed. Despite these tragic circumstances, Azerbaijan remains committed to maintaining good relations with Russia, hoping for an open dialogue to resolve the situation and seek accountability.
