Baku: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated on Sunday that a passenger plane that crashed last week, claiming 38 lives, had been struck by ground fire from Russia. He accused some Russian officials of providing misleading explanations for the tragedy.
President Vladimir Putin had apologized to Aliyev on Saturday for what he described as a “tragic incident” in Russian airspace. The Kremlin acknowledged that Russian air defenses had been active against Ukrainian drones but did not confirm responsibility for downing the plane. A criminal investigation has since been launched.
“Our plane was shot down by accident,” Aliyev told state television. He explained that the aircraft experienced electronic jamming before being fired upon as it approached Grozny, a city in southern Russia.
Aliyev criticized Russia’s initial explanations, which included claims that birds or a gas cylinder explosion caused the crash. “We witnessed clear attempts to cover up the matter,” Aliyev remarked, urging Moscow to acknowledge its culpability and hold those responsible accountable.
Plane Crash Details and Apology
Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243 crashed in Kazakhstan near the city of Aktau, engulfed in flames after diverting from Russian airspace. The plane had been flying amidst heightened tensions, as Ukrainian drones targeted southern Russian cities.
The rare apology from Putin was seen as a tacit admission of responsibility. Four sources involved in Azerbaijan’s preliminary investigation told Reuters that Russian air defenses mistakenly shot down the plane.
Also Read | INS Tushil: India’s Advanced Stealth Frigate Set to Arrive in February
Tribute to the Victims
Azerbaijan held a solemn ceremony on Sunday to honor the deceased pilots and passengers. Captain Igor Kshnyakin, co-pilot Alexander Kalyaninov, and flight attendant Hokuma Aliyeva received full honors at the Alley of Honour in Baku. President Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended the event.
The pilots were hailed for their bravery, credited with saving 29 lives despite losing their own. The Embraer jet, initially bound for Grozny, veered across the Caspian Sea after sustaining significant damage. The crew struggled to control the plane, which had holes in its fuselage and a de-pressurized cabin. Their efforts culminated in a crash landing.
The Alley of Honour, Azerbaijan’s most revered burial ground, became the resting place for the crew. Captain Kshnyakin’s daughter, Anastasia Kshnyakina, praised her father’s heroism, saying, “With his last flight, he proved what a true hero should be.”
