Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed regret for the tragic crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines flight in Grozny, Chechnya, after entering Russian airspace. However, he did not admit responsibility for the incident.
Putin stated on Saturday that Russia’s air defense systems were active when the plane tried to land in Grozny. The aircraft later diverted east and crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, resulting in the loss of 38 lives. The passengers on board included individuals from Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, with two children among the survivors.
While the cause of the crash remains unconfirmed, a US official suggested to CNN that initial evidence points to a possible involvement of a Russian anti-aircraft system. Putin did not directly address these claims in his remarks.
In a phone call with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, Putin apologized for the incident occurring in Russian airspace. The Kremlin revealed that the plane made multiple landing attempts in Grozny amidst attacks by Ukrainian combat drones in the surrounding areas.
The Russian investigative committee has initiated a criminal case in connection with the tragedy, with video evidence showing perforations on the crashed plane resembling shrapnel damage. CNN aviation analyst Miles O’Brien highlighted signs of an explosion near the tail of the aircraft based on the bent metal around the holes.
Azerbaijan’s Aliyev informed Putin that the plane experienced interference while in Russian airspace, resulting in a loss of control. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan also received condolences from Putin following the crash.
Following the incident, several airlines, including Azerbaijan Airlines and Turkmenistan Airlines, have temporarily suspended flights to certain Russian regions due to safety concerns. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Russia to provide clear explanations and cease disseminating misinformation regarding the crash.
