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Azerbaijan’s President Alleges Plane Was Shot Down in Russia

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Baku: Azerbaijan‘s President Ilham Aliyev announced on Sunday that the passenger plane crash last week, which claimed 38 lives, resulted from ground-based fire in Russia. He accused certain Russian officials of misrepresenting the incident’s cause.

Putin Apologizes for the “Tragic Incident”

On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended an apology to Aliyev for what he termed a “tragic incident” in Russian airspace. The Kremlin attributed the crash to the aftermath of Russian air defenses engaging Ukrainian drones but stopped short of confirming responsibility for downing the plane. A criminal investigation has been launched.

President Aliyev’s Statement

“Our plane was shot down by accident,” Aliyev stated during a televised interview, revealing that the aircraft experienced electronic jamming before being fired upon near Grozny, Russia.

Aliyev criticized initial Russian reports, which included explanations such as bird strikes or a gas cylinder explosion, calling them attempts to obscure the truth. “We witnessed clear efforts to cover up the matter,” said Aliyev, who maintains strong ties with Russia and is an alumnus of a prestigious Moscow university.

The Azerbaijani leader demanded Russia acknowledge its responsibility and ensure those involved in the incident face justice.

Follow-Up Discussions

Putin and Aliyev held another phone conversation on Sunday, the Kremlin confirmed without providing additional details. On Saturday, it mentioned that both military and civilian specialists are being interrogated as part of the investigation.

Details of the Crash

The ill-fated Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243 crashed in a fiery explosion near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday. The flight had diverted from its path over southern Russia, where Ukrainian drones were reportedly targeting multiple cities.

Rare Apology from Moscow

Putin’s public apology marks a rare acknowledgment from Russia, signaling its potential role in the tragedy. While the Kremlin remains cautious in its admissions, this gesture highlights the incident’s gravity and the strained political dynamics at play.

This development is expected to raise further questions about the safety and accountability of operations in contested airspaces.

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