Moscow: In a significant diplomatic moment, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended an apology to Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev over the tragic Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash that claimed 38 lives. Allegations that the plane was brought down by Russian fire have been substantiated by Putin’s admission, intensifying global scrutiny.
The Kremlin revealed that the passenger aircraft was mistakenly fired upon by Russian air defense systems during efforts to repel Ukrainian drone attacks. “The Azerbaijani passenger aircraft, which was traveling according to its schedule, repeatedly tried to land at Grozny airport. At that time, Grozny, Mozdok, and Vladikavkaz were under attack by Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, and Russian air defense systems repelled these attacks,” the statement explained.
Describing the incident as a “tragic error,” Putin expressed deep remorse, offering condolences to the victims’ families and wishing the injured a speedy recovery. “President Vladimir Putin apologised for the tragic incident that occurred in Russian airspace,” the Kremlin added.
The crash of Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 on Christmas Day has left a deep impact. The plane, en route from Baku to Grozny, was redirected to Aktau, Kazakhstan, due to dense fog in Grozny. It tragically crashed near Aktau, raising questions about aviation safety amid military tensions in the region.
This incident, compounded by Putin’s rare apology, underscores the devastating consequences of the ongoing conflict and its ripple effects on civilian lives. As investigations continue, the international community awaits further clarity on the circumstances leading to the tragic loss of 38 lives.
