The crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane on December 25 has triggered a heated exchange between Azerbaijan and Russia. The plane, which was flying from Baku to Grozny, Chechnya, is believed to have been struck by Russian air defense missiles before diverting and crashing near Aktau, Kazakhstan. President Aliyev criticized Russia for a lack of transparency regarding the events leading up to the crash, claiming that their initial explanations were baseless and misleading. On the other hand, President Putin has expressed condolences but did not take formal responsibility, suggesting the aircraft was caught in the crossfire of attacks on Ukrainian drones. Aliyev is advocating for justice and transparency, revealing the deep tensions that can arise even among allies when lives are at stake.

The plane crash that transpired on Christmas Day involving Azerbaijani passengers has not only claimed lives but has also sparked a diplomatic controversy between Azerbaijan and Russia. President Ilham Aliyev has called for Russia to accept its responsibility, emphasizing the need for accountability and compensation for the victims. While Putin offered condolences, he stopped short of admitting fault, insisting that the plane's downfall was an unfortunate consequence of a larger defense operation against perceived drone threats. Opinions vary on the incident, with some aviation experts lending credibility to the theory of a missile strike, while officials from both Azerbaijan and Russia appear to navigate the fallout from this deadly mistake amid complex regional dynamics.