In a significant diplomatic fracture, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev criticizes Russia’s reaction to the downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines jet, asserting that proper coordination could have prevented the tragedy and demanding justice for the victims.
Azerbaijan's President Blasts Russia Over Plane Crash Responsibility
Azerbaijan's President Blasts Russia Over Plane Crash Responsibility
Tensions escalate between Azerbaijan and Russia following a tragic plane crash, with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev demanding accountability from Moscow.
The crash site of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 25, has become a focal point of escalating tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia. In the aftermath of the tragedy, which resulted in the loss of 38 lives, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev openly condemned Moscow for attempting to evade responsibility.
During a meeting on January 6, 2025, with the surviving flight attendants and families of those who perished, Aliyev expressed his outrage, stating that Russia's lack of proper coordination could have averted the tragedy. He pointed to preliminary findings indicating that Russian air defenses likely downed the aircraft, reinforcing his assertion with video evidence and assessments from Western analysts.
Aliyev's condemnation was particularly sharp, declaring, "I can say with confidence that the blame for the fact that Azerbaijani citizens died in this disaster lies with representatives of the Russian Federation." His demand was clear: justice for the victims and accountability for those responsible, and he insisted on transparency in the investigation.
In a noteworthy deviation from the norm, he addressed the public in Russian rather than the native Azerbaijani language, a strategic choice that served as both a sign of respect for the Russian-speaking relatives of the deceased pilots and an explicit message to the Kremlin.
In contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered an apology for the incident but refrained from accepting any direct responsibility, a response that may further intensify tensions between the two countries. This incident not only amplifies Azerbaijan's frustrations but also illustrates Russia's waning influence in the post-Soviet space, potentially setting the stage for significant geopolitical shifts in the region.
During a meeting on January 6, 2025, with the surviving flight attendants and families of those who perished, Aliyev expressed his outrage, stating that Russia's lack of proper coordination could have averted the tragedy. He pointed to preliminary findings indicating that Russian air defenses likely downed the aircraft, reinforcing his assertion with video evidence and assessments from Western analysts.
Aliyev's condemnation was particularly sharp, declaring, "I can say with confidence that the blame for the fact that Azerbaijani citizens died in this disaster lies with representatives of the Russian Federation." His demand was clear: justice for the victims and accountability for those responsible, and he insisted on transparency in the investigation.
In a noteworthy deviation from the norm, he addressed the public in Russian rather than the native Azerbaijani language, a strategic choice that served as both a sign of respect for the Russian-speaking relatives of the deceased pilots and an explicit message to the Kremlin.
In contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered an apology for the incident but refrained from accepting any direct responsibility, a response that may further intensify tensions between the two countries. This incident not only amplifies Azerbaijan's frustrations but also illustrates Russia's waning influence in the post-Soviet space, potentially setting the stage for significant geopolitical shifts in the region.
