Azerbaijan Demands Accountability from Russia for Fatal Plane Crash

In a recent interview, Aliyev criticized Russia for its initial attempts to obscure the truth surrounding the crash, asserting that Moscow must acknowledge its culpability and compensate victims' families. The Azerbaijan Airlines flight had departed from Baku heading to Grozny but was forced to divert to Kazakhstan after being struck. Despite President Putin's apology, it fell short of a formal admission of guilt, leading to tensions in the already complex bilateral relationship.

In response to the incident, Azerbaijan has made specific demands to Russia, calling for accountability and payment for damages as they honor the memory of the deceased while underscoring the tragic nature of the event amidst ongoing regional conflicts.

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has publicly urged Russia to accept responsibility for a plane crash that killed 38 people, pointing to a possible misfire from Russian air defense systems as the cause. The incident occurred on December 25, when an Azerbaijan Airlines flight from Baku to Grozny was diverted to Kazakhstan after allegedly being struck. President Putin expressed condolences but stopped short of admitting blame. Aliyev condemned Russia's initial theories regarding the crash, calling them absurd, and insisted that accountability be established. As Azerbaijan honors the victims, it faces the complex relationship with Russia, underscored by the tragedy.