Moscow/Baku: Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a rare apology to Azerbaijan on Saturday following the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane, which the Kremlin described as a “tragic incident”. The airliner crash, which occurred amid Russian air defense operations against Ukrainian drone attacks, claimed at least 38 lives.
In a phone call with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, Putin expressed “deep and sincere condolences” to the victims’ families and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. “At that time, Grozny, Mozdok, and Vladikavkaz were being attacked by Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, and Russian air defense systems repelled these attacks,” the Kremlin stated.
Crash Details and Initial Findings
The ill-fated Flight J2-8243, en route from Baku to Grozny, crash-landed on Wednesday near Aktau, Kazakhstan, after deviating from its intended path over southern Russia. The deviation occurred amidst Ukrainian drone strikes reported in several Russian cities. Passengers aboard the flight described hearing a loud explosion outside the plane before the crash.
Four sources with knowledge of Azerbaijan’s preliminary investigation told Reuters that Russian air defenses likely mistook the airliner for an incoming threat and shot it down. Videos shared by survivors revealed oxygen masks deployed and passengers wearing life jackets. Subsequent footage captured bruised and bloodied passengers escaping the wreckage.
International Responses
In a statement, Aliyev highlighted that the plane experienced “external physical and technical interference in Russian airspace, resulting in a complete loss of control.”
U.S. President Joe Biden, when asked about Putin’s responsibility for the crash, responded, “Apparently he did, but I haven’t spoken to him or my team.” The White House added that initial indications suggest Russian air defenses may have mistakenly downed the plane. MSNBC also reported that U.S. intelligence points to a Russian misidentification of the airliner as a potential drone threat.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered condolences to Aliyev and demanded “clear explanations” from Russia via a statement on the X platform.
Azərbaycan Prezidenti İlham Əliyevlə söhbətim baş tutdu, “Azərbaycan Hava Yolları” -nın J2-8243 reysində baş vermiş dəhşətli fəlakətlə əlaqədar ona və Azərbaycan xalqına başsağlığı verdim. Pilotların və təyyarənin bütün heyətinin qəhrəmanlığını vurğuladıq.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 28, 2024
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Investigations and Reactions
The Kremlin confirmed the opening of a criminal case into the crash, noting that civilian and military specialists were being questioned. Until Saturday, Russian authorities refrained from commenting pending official investigations.
The Azerbaijani government emphasized injuries sustained from external objects penetrating the aircraft’s fuselage as evidence of external interference. The crash has reignited concerns over the risks to civil aviation operating near conflict zones.
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Historical Parallels
The tragedy draws comparisons to previous incidents of civilian aircraft downed in conflict zones. In 2020, an Iranian missile mistakenly brought down a Ukrainian airliner, killing all 176 onboard. Similarly, in 2014, Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine by a Russian BUK missile system, resulting in the deaths of 298 passengers and crew—a claim Russia has consistently denied.
As investigations continue, the crash underscores the dangers posed to civilian aircraft amidst escalating military operations and highlights the broader ramifications of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
