Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued an apology to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev following the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane in Kazakhstan on Christmas Day. The Kremlin confirmed that Putin expressed his condolences after the “tragic incident” that occurred in Russian airspace, though Russia has not officially accepted responsibility for downing the flight.
The crash, which resulted in 38 fatalities, involved Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243, which had departed from Baku, Azerbaijan, and was en route to Grozny, Russia, when it was diverted and ultimately crashed near Aktau in Kazakhstan. Evidence points to the possibility that Russian air defense systems were involved, with the U.S. National Security Council indicating that the plane may have been brought down by Russian fire.
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Azerbaijan Airlines confirmed that the plane suffered “external physical and technical interference,” leading to the crash. Survivors and witnesses reported hearing explosions during the flight and injuries caused by foreign objects piercing the fuselage. Russian investigators are currently probing the incident, with the initial claims suggesting weather or bird strikes, though the evidence points to more severe factors.
Azerbaijan’s government has pressured Russia for a clear explanation, while international responses have included condolences from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and support for Azerbaijan in the ongoing investigation.
