In the aftermath of a tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of 38 people, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a rare apology to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev. However, while expressing condolences for the Christmas Day disaster, Putin avoided admitting Russian culpability for the incident, which occurred as the Azerbaijan Airlines flight attempted to land in the Chechen capital of Grozny amid heightened military activity.
What Happened: A Tragic Sequence of Events
Flight J2-8243, en route from Baku to Grozny, was forced to divert after being struck by what is believed to be Russian air defense shrapnel. The plane crash-landed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, killing 38 of the 67 on board. Survivors, primarily seated in the rear of the aircraft, reported hearing loud bangs before the crash, pointing to the likelihood of an external strike.
The Kremlin acknowledged that the crash occurred during a period of intense Ukrainian drone activity, with Russian air defense systems repelling attacks near Grozny and other cities in the region. However, the statement stopped short of admitting the plane was struck by Russian missiles.
The Kremlin’s Response
The Kremlin’s official statement noted that Putin apologized to Aliyev for the “tragic incident” and expressed condolences to the victims’ families.
“Vladimir Putin apologized that the tragic incident occurred in Russian airspace and once again expressed his deep and sincere condolences to the families of the victims,” the statement read.
The Kremlin also confirmed that Russian investigators had launched a criminal investigation into the crash but avoided attributing blame. Aviation authorities had earlier stated that the region’s airspace was “complicated” by Ukrainian drone strikes.
Ukrainian and International Reactions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was quick to accuse Russia of obfuscating the truth, stating that the damage to the aircraft bore hallmarks of an air defense missile strike.
“Russia must provide clear explanations. The priority now is a thorough investigation that answers all questions about what really happened,” Zelensky said.
US defense officials also pointed fingers at Russia, stating they believed Moscow’s air defense systems were responsible for the downing.
Evidence and Investigations
Experts in Azerbaijan suggested the plane’s GPS system was likely disrupted by electronic jamming, a common tactic in areas with heavy military activity. Survivors reported hearing explosions, further supporting theories of external interference. Azerbaijan’s transport minister confirmed the plane suffered “external interference” that caused damage both inside and out.
While Azerbaijan has stopped short of directly accusing Russia, the country announced its own investigation, alongside inquiries launched by Russian and Kazakh authorities.
Fallout and Impact
The crash has already begun to strain relations between Russia and Azerbaijan. Several Azerbaijani airlines have suspended flights to Russian cities until the investigation concludes. Additionally, Moscow faces increasing pressure from both domestic and international communities to provide transparency about its role in the tragedy.
A Rare Apology, But No Admission
Putin’s apology marks an unusual move for the Kremlin, which rarely admits errors in its military operations. However, by avoiding direct responsibility for the crash, Russia leaves open questions about its accountability. The investigation’s findings will be critical in determining whether Moscow’s air defenses played a direct role in the downing of the aircraft.