In December 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin confessed that the air defence of Russia had shot down an Azerbaijani passenger plane. The confession was made as an attempt to calm down the ever-increasing tension between the two neighbouring countries.
Putin acknowledged that the Russian missiles, which were aimed at a drone, exploded close to the Azerbaijan Airlines’ Embraer 190 aircraft. The plane was already on its way to land in Grozny, Chechnya, when it was involved in the incident on December 25, 2024, according to the official reports released by Azerbaijan. 38 lives out of 67 were lost.
Putin, during a conference with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, brought up the issue in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. He mentioned that an error in technical functioning resulted in the accidental launching, and hence, two missiles exploded about ten metres from the aircraft. Putin assured full responsibility, saying there would be both legal evaluation and compensation for the families of the victims.
Putin admits Russia shot down Azerbaijani plane, seeking to ease tensions
How Did Azerbaijan React To The Russian Air Defence Shootdown?
Initially, Azerbaijan’s authorities said that Russian fire had inadvertently shot down the aircraft. The aeroplane tried to escape to the west of Kazakhstan but went down close to Aktau with a large number of casualties.
In previous remarks, Putin showed remorse but did not go as far as taking the blame. Aliyev condemned Russia for attempting to “conceal” the accident, demanding openness and fairness.
This event was a huge blow to the already fragile relationship between Moscow and Baku, which, nevertheless, had very close historical and economic ties. Aliyev expressed his gratitude toward Putin for “being the one to personally control the situation,” thus pointing to the hope for reconciliation as a sign of cautious optimism.
Was The Russian Air Defence Shootdown Accidental Or Negligent?
The Kremlin has continued to hold that the downed Azerbaijani passenger jet was due to a technical error, rather than any deliberate actions. Putin clarified that the Russian air defence systems were hitting a Ukrainian drone that was flying in the vicinity.
However, some critics point out that the accident is a reflection of the poor air defence coordination in Russia as a whole. According to military analysts, the overlapping of air operations in the war zones has created a dangerous situation where civilian aircraft are at serious risk.
The missiles detonated so close to the jet that they could have caused catastrophic damage. Putin highlighted moral duty, saying that “no words can restore the lives that were lost.”
Kremlin blames technical error, says jet hit amid Ukrainian drone strike
How Has The Putin Admits Plane Crash Statement Affected Relations?
Putin’s statement shows that he now admits to the fault of his country. This announcement is interpreted as a thawing gesture in the highly strained Azerbaijan-Russia ties.
With the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Azerbaijan’s importance in the region has increased significantly. Its close partnership with Turkey and its strategic position as a transport corridor make it an essential factor in the Russian trade.
Besides, the two countries have developed partnerships in the areas of energy and agriculture. Azerbaijan is the source of fruits and vegetables for Russia, while the latter supplies the former with oil and gas for the local market.
However, after the aeroplane incident, the mutual good feeling was lost, and both countries started to complain of having diplomatic and social friction.
Can Moscow And Baku Repair The Damage?
Both heads of state seem to be aiming to revive their partnership. Putin mentioned during the meeting in Dushanbe that he was optimistic that the ties would once again reflect the “spirit of alliance.”
Aliyev reacted favorably and pointed out a “wide and optimistic” plan for cooperation in the future. Even though there are attempts at political rapprochement, the people in Azerbaijan are still doubtful about it.
Some people are calling for an in-depth investigation and fair compensation for the families of the victims. Analysts say that the achievement of peace between the two countries will depend on how successfully Russia meets its commitments.
Aliyev praises cooperation plan, but Azerbaijanis remain skeptical despite rapprochement
What Lies Ahead After Putin Admits Plane Crash?
The disaster of the Azerbaijani aircraft shot down is still one of the major factors influencing Russian foreign policy. Putin’s readiness to take the blame can pacify the situation for a while, but can never bring back the lost lives.
Trust restoration between the two countries will need to be accompanied by the practices of openness, taking responsibility, and really helping each other out in a humanitarian sense.
With the help of sanctions and conflicts, Russia is trying to keep regional allies like Azerbaijan, which is very important. After one of the saddest air accidents in the region, the world is curious about how Moscow and Baku will proceed.
Also Read: Putin Visits Tajikistan for Summit with Former Soviet Leaders Amid Western Sanctions
FAQs
Q1: What was the victim count in the case of the Azerbaijani airliner crash?
Among the total of 67, 38 passengers lost their lives in the incident.
Q2: What was the reason behind the Russian rockets hitting the Azerbaijani plane?
According to Putin, a technical malfunction in the course of the drones’ interception resulted in the nearby jet getting hit by the missiles’ explosion.
Q3: Has Russia offered any financial support to the families of the victims?
Putin made a commitment to provide complete compensation as well as to carry out a legal evaluation of the actions of the officials responsible.
Q4: how much the crash changed the relations between Russia and Azerbaijan?
The event caused tension in the relationship but the recent communication between Putin and Aliyev is a sign of slow and cautious moves towards peace.
