Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev issued a stern rebuke to Russia on Monday, accusing Moscow of responsibility for the downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 jet last month. The tragic incident, which resulted in 38 fatalities out of the 67 people on board, has inflamed tensions between the two nations. The plane crash-landed in Kazakhstan on December 25 after being diverted from its scheduled landing in Grozny, Russia.
The Embraer 190 jet, originally destined for the southern Russian city of Grozny, was redirected mid-flight to Aktau, Kazakhstan, where it crash-landed. Azerbaijani officials assert the plane was shot down by Russian air defences, a claim that Moscow has neither confirmed nor denied. Russia admitted its air defences were active in the region, citing ongoing threats from Ukrainian drones. However, they have not acknowledged firing on the civilian aircraft.
In a public statement, President Aliyev held Russia accountable for the deaths, labeling the act as a “criminal shooting.” Meeting with surviving crew members and families of the victims, Aliyev expressed deep frustration over Russia’s handling of the incident and its aftermath. He criticized Moscow for “concealment” and propagating “delusional versions” of the event, including initial reports from Russia’s air transport agency suggesting the plane was diverted due to a bird strike.
Aliyev demanded a formal apology, an admission of guilt, and the prosecution of those responsible for the downing. “The guilt for the death of Azerbaijani citizens lies with representatives of the Russian Federation,” he stated emphatically, reflecting rare but intense criticism directed at Moscow.
Russia has launched its own criminal investigation but has yet to validate Baku’s claims that the jet was downed by a Russian missile. Both countries are conducting separate investigations, with Azerbaijan’s preliminary findings pointing to an accidental missile strike by Russian air defences.
The incident’s complexity is further compounded by the differing narratives. Aliyev questioned why the plane was rerouted across the Caspian Sea to Kazakhstan instead of being allowed to land in Grozny. He argued that if Russian airspace was under threat, the pilot should have been informed immediately.
The black boxes from the downed aircraft have been sent to Brazil for analysis, as the investigation seeks to uncover the precise circumstances surrounding the crash. The international community awaits these findings, which could potentially corroborate or contradict the claims made by both Azerbaijan and Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed regret over the incident but stopped short of accepting responsibility for the use of Russian weapons. His apology, limited to the occurrence of the event within Russian airspace, has not satisfied Azerbaijan’s demands for accountability.
The incident marks a significant strain in Azerbaijan-Russia relations, traditionally characterized by a pragmatic, albeit cautious, partnership. Aliyev’s public condemnation of Moscow reflects the severity of the situation and the potential for lasting diplomatic repercussions.
Observers note that the situation unfolds amidst heightened regional tensions, with Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine complicating matters further. The air defence systems in the region are on high alert, which, according to Russia, necessitated their activation during the time of the incident.
