Janice R. Andrews
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev following the deadly crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane in Kazakhstan on Christmas Day, which resulted in 38 deaths and 29 survivors.
According to the Kremlin, the crash occurred within Russian airspace while Russian air defenses were engaged in repelling Ukrainian drone attacks near Grozny, Mozdok, and Vladikavkaz. Putin conveyed his apologies for the incident, describing it as a tragic event during a period of heightened military activity.
Survivors of the crash reported hearing explosive sounds before the plane was struck by an unidentified object. Azerbaijan’s Transport Minister Rashan Nabiyev confirmed that the cause of the crash and the type of weapon used are still under investigation. The Kremlin has not confirmed if a Russian missile was involved.
The Embraer jet, which was attempting to land in Grozny, crashed near Kazakhstan’s Aktau airport. This incident highlights the risks posed to civilian air travel in conflict zones and the critical need for international cooperation to safeguard air routes during ongoing regional tensions. Both nations are working together to investigate the cause of the tragedy.
