Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially acknowledged that two Russian missiles detonated near an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet last year, resulting in the tragic deaths of 38 people. This admission marks a significant moment in the ongoing dialogue between Russia and Azerbaijan and comes as Putin expressed condolences to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during a meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
The incident occurred on December 25, 2022, when flight J2-8243, which was traveling from Baku to Grozny, crash-landed near Aktau in Kazakhstan. The aircraft had diverted from its original route due to reported Ukrainian drone activity targeting locations within southern Russia. In a candid moment captured on video, Putin and Aliyev greeted each other with smiles and handshakes before discussing the incident.
Putin’s acknowledgment of responsibility is one of the most direct statements he has made regarding the crash. He reiterated his commitment to addressing the situation, saying, “Of course, everything that is required in such tragic cases will be done by the Russian side on compensation and a legal assessment of all official things will be given.”
Last year, the Kremlin described the event as a “tragic incident” and Putin issued a rare public apology to Aliyev. During the recent meeting, he elaborated on the circumstances surrounding the crash. According to Putin, the missiles were deployed to counteract the Ukrainian drones that had entered Russian airspace, leading to the unfortunate detonation near the commercial flight.
Putin emphasized the importance of providing an objective assessment of the events that transpired, stating, “It is our duty, I repeat once again… to give an objective assessment of everything that happened and to identify the true causes.”
The wreckage of the Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 remains a poignant reminder of the incident, which not only took lives but also strained relations between Russia and Azerbaijan. The acknowledgment from Moscow may pave the way for further discussions on compensation for the families affected by this tragedy.
As both leaders continue to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes, the impact of this admission on Russia-Azerbaijan relations will be closely monitored in the coming weeks.
