MOSCOW RUSSIA - DECEMBER 05: Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during an All-Russia People's Front party conference on December 05, 2013 in Moscow, Russia. The conference offers members of the All-Russia People's Front Party the chance to discuss the presidents' key reforms and how to implement them. (Photo by Sasha Mordovets/Getty Images)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a rare apology following the Christmas Day downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane, which killed 38 people. The apology came during a phone call with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, where Putin described the crash as a “tragic incident” but stopped short of accepting full responsibility.
The Kremlin confirmed that a Russian missile struck the plane, which was landing in Grozny, Russia, after departing from Baku, Azerbaijan. Putin stated that Russian air defenses were active at the time, repelling Ukrainian drone attacks in the Chechnya region, but did not directly address allegations of negligence or error by Russian forces.
The aircraft, identified as Flight 8243, suffered severe damage but managed to cross the Caspian Sea before crashing near Aktau International Airport in Kazakhstan. Despite the pilots’ heroic efforts to save the plane, 38 passengers lost their lives. However, their actions saved 29 others on board. Both pilots were among those killed.
Reports suggest that Russian forces may have jammed the plane’s systems and refused permission for an emergency landing in Russian territory. These allegations have not been confirmed, but they have intensified scrutiny of Russia’s military activities and its handling of civilian airspace during ongoing regional conflicts.
The Kremlin announced that a criminal investigation is underway to determine the circumstances of the incident.
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