Russia Accepts Blame for Downing Azerbaijani Airliner
Vladimir Putin has acknowledged that Russian air defenses were responsible for shooting down an Azerbaijani passenger jet in December, resulting in the deaths of 38 people—his first direct admission of fault.
Speaking on Thursday, Putin stated that missiles launched by Russian forces targeting a Ukrainian drone detonated near the Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft as it approached Grozny, the capital of Russia’s Chechen Republic, on 25 December 2024. Ukrainian drone attacks have frequently reached deep inside Russian territory.
During a meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, where he and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev were attending a regional summit, Putin vowed to hold accountable those involved and arrange compensation.
Azerbaijani officials had earlier reported that the Embraer 190 was unintentionally struck by Russian fire before attempting an emergency landing in western Kazakhstan. The crash killed 38 of the 67 passengers and crew.
Shortly after the incident, Putin expressed regret to Aliyev, calling it a "tragic event," but avoided taking full responsibility. Aliyev, meanwhile, accused Moscow of attempting to conceal details of the crash.
The incident has strained previously strong relations between Russia and Azerbaijan, which worsened following the deaths of ethnic Azerbaijanis detained in a Russian city last June, along with several arrests of Russian citizens in Azerbaijan.
On Thursday, Putin told Aliyev that Russian air defenses mistakenly targeted the Azerbaijani plane due to a "technical failure," with two missiles exploding just 10 meters (33 feet) from the jet.
“Russia will take all necessary measures to compensate for the damages and ensure legal accountability for those responsible,” Putin said.
“While these words offer moral support to the affected families, they cannot undo the loss of life caused by this tragedy.”
He expressed hope for restoring strained bilateral relations, stating, “I trust our cooperation will not only recover but grow stronger in the spirit of our alliance.”
Aliyev thanked Putin for his efforts in investigating the crash. “I appreciate your personal oversight in addressing this matter,” he said.
The Azerbaijani leader emphasized discussions on a constructive bilateral agenda, expressing optimism that their public statements would be well received.
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