August M
A public apology from Vladimir Putin months after a deadly plane crash marked a turning point in a diplomatic dispute between Russia and Azerbaijan.
The incident, which took place on Christmas Day 2024, had already caused serious tensions, with Azerbaijan accusing Moscow of responsibility early on.
According to Digi24.ro, Russia has now formally acknowledged that its military systems were responsible for bringing down the Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft.
Delayed admission
Putin first addressed the issue in October 2025, expressing regret and promising accountability during a meeting with Azerbaijan’s president.
That statement effectively confirmed Russia’s involvement after months of denial, which had strained relations between the two countries.
A joint statement later said the strike was “unintentional” and confirmed that both sides had agreed on compensation, although no details were made public.
What happened
The aircraft, an Embraer 190 travelling from Baku to Grozny, was damaged while approaching its destination.
Russian officials said the incident happened during efforts to counter aerial threats in the area, though they did not initially acknowledge hitting a civilian plane.
After the aircraft was struck, the crew attempted to divert but were unable to land at nearby airports.
The plane ultimately flew across the Caspian Sea before crashing near Aktau in Kazakhstan.
Conflicting claims
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev had earlier accused Russia of trying to conceal responsibility.
He said the aircraft had been disabled by electronic interference before being hit from the ground, rejecting alternative explanations offered at the time.
The dispute escalated as Azerbaijan signalled it could take legal action at the International Court of Justice.
Ongoing questions
There were 67 people on board, including crew, with 38 confirmed dead and 29 survivors.
Reports cited by Reuters indicated that at least one nearby airport was closed on the day of the crash, raising further questions about the handling of the emergency.
While Russia has now admitted responsibility, key details about the incident and the agreed compensation remain unclear.
Sources: Digi24.ro, Reuters
