Days after an Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashed in Kazakhstan, killing 38 people, the Kremlin linked the tragedy to Ukrainian drone attacks.
The Kremlin stated the passenger jet was attempting to land in Grozny, Russia, during a series of Ukrainian drone strikes on Grozny, Mozdok, and Vladikavkaz. Russian air defense systems reportedly engaged to repel the attacks.
The Embraer passenger jet had flown from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny on Christmas Day. However, it veered off course and crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, in a fiery explosion.
Putin Apologizes to Azerbaijan
Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for what he described as a “tragic incident.”
“President Putin expressed deep condolences to the victims’ families and wished the injured a speedy recovery,” the Kremlin said in a statement.
This marked the Kremlin’s first official response to the crash, which Ukrainian and U.S. officials had linked to Russian air defense systems.
U.S. and Ukraine Call for Accountability
White House spokesperson John Kirby said the U.S. had seen “early indications” suggesting Russian air defenses might have downed the plane. Ukrainian presidential spokesperson Andriy Yermak echoed similar concerns, demanding Russia be held accountable.
Azerbaijan’s Claims and Russian Response
Azerbaijan’s presidential office claimed the plane faced “external interference” in Russian airspace, leading to a total loss of control.
Meanwhile, Russia’s civil aviation head, Dmitry Yadrov, described the situation in Grozny as “very complicated” due to ongoing Ukrainian drone attacks on civilian infrastructure. Yadrov confirmed the activation of a “Carpet plan,” requiring all aircraft to vacate the airspace immediately.
Poor visibility from dense fog further complicated operations at Grozny airport during the incident.
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