Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev accused Russia of shooting down an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet before it crashed, resulting in the deaths of 38 out of the 67 people on board. He demanded that Russia admit to the incident, claiming that Moscow initially tried to cover up the cause of the deadly accident. Aliyev made the accusation during an interview with state media following the crash of the AZAL Embraer 190 plane in western Kazakhstan. Azerbaijani officials believe that a Russian surface-to-air missile hit the aircraft as it attempted to land at Grozny airport in Chechnya.
Kazakhstan’s transportation ministry announced that the airplane’s black box would be sent for analysis to Brazil, which manufactures the Embraer plane. Aliyev’s allegations against Russia came after a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where the Kremlin did not indicate any responsibility for the crash. According to Aliyev, the Azerbaijani civilian plane was damaged over Russian territory near Grozny, causing it to almost lose control. He also mentioned that electronic warfare systems played a role in putting the plane out of control, and the aircraft’s tail was severely damaged due to ground fire.
Aliyev criticized Russian authorities for putting forward theories that were meant to cover up the issue of the plane crash. He called it “regrettable and surprising” that Russia was trying to deflect blame by suggesting absurd theories such as the plane hitting a flock of birds. Aliyev argued that these claims were detached from reality, highlighting the visible damage to the fuselage of the aircraft. Russia’s authorities had previously stated that Grozny was under attack from Ukrainian drones when the Azerbaijani Airlines plane attempted to land at the airport, but this explanation was met with skepticism.
The ongoing dispute between Azerbaijan and Russia over the airplane crash highlighted the strained relations between the two traditionally allied countries. Aliyev’s outspoken accusation of Russia added tension to the situation, with both sides engaging in a war of words over the incident. The decision to send the black box to Brazil for analysis was seen as a way to ensure an independent investigation into the cause of the crash. The lack of a clear admission of responsibility from Russia further fueled the controversy and deepened the rift between the two nations.
The international community closely monitored the aftermath of the Azerbaijan Airlines crash, with concerns raised about the safety of civilian air travel in the region. Questions were raised about the accountability of those responsible for the plane’s downing and the need for a transparent investigation to prevent future incidents. The dispute between Azerbaijan and Russia underscored the geopolitical complexities in the region, as well as the delicate nature of diplomatic relations between neighboring countries. The fallout from the incident served as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with military conflicts and the impact they can have on innocent civilians.
