Putin Confirms Russia Downed Azerbaijani Passenger Jet, Killing 38
Vladimir Putin has acknowledged that Russian air defenses were responsible for the downing of an Azerbaijani passenger jet last December, resulting in the deaths of 38 individuals. This tragic event occurred on Christmas Day as the aircraft, operated by Azerbaijani Airlines, was approaching Grozny, the capital of the Chechen Republic.
Incident Details
According to Putin, the incident was triggered when two missiles aimed at a Ukrainian drone exploded near the passenger aircraft. He clarified that the missiles did not directly hit the plane but detonated approximately 10 meters away. The explosion caused damage primarily from debris, which the pilot mistakenly reported as a collision with birds.
Flight Information
- Date: December 25, 2022
- Flight Operator: Azerbaijani Airlines
- Location: Approaching Grozny, Chechnya
- Fatalities: 38 out of 67 passengers on board
Response from Leaders
During a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Putin expressed a commitment to hold those responsible accountable and to provide compensation to the victims’ families. He emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to accurately determine the causes of the incident.
Investigation Progress
Putin noted that a comprehensive evaluation would likely take additional time. Azerbaijani authorities have indicated that the jet was inadvertently struck by Russian missile fire, prompting an emergency landing attempt that ultimately led to the crash in western Kazakhstan.
Context and Historical Significance
This incident marks the second significant aviation disaster tied to Russia’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict, following the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014, which tragically resulted in 298 fatalities. Following the crash, Aliyev criticized Russia for attempting to downplay the severity of the incident but later thanked Putin for his attention to the ongoing investigation.
With the confirmation of Russia’s involvement, this unfortunate event raises critical questions about air safety in conflict zones and the implications for international aviation protocols.
