After the tragic crash of an Azerbaijani plane, President Ilham Aliyev openly challenges Vladimir Putin regarding Russia's responsibility, signaling increasing friction between the two long-time allies.
Azerbaijan's Leader Challenges Putin After Deadly Plane Crash
Azerbaijan's Leader Challenges Putin After Deadly Plane Crash
Azerbaijan Airlines' plane crash exposes rising tension between Baku and Moscow.
In Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, a significant incident unfolded following a deadly airplane crash on December 25, which took the lives of 38 individuals. In the aftermath, President Vladimir Putin of Russia suggested several theories to explain the crash during a tense conversation with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, including a flock of birds, an exploding gas canister, or even a Ukrainian drone.
However, Aliyev, according to sources privy to the conversation, was unconvinced. Reports indicated that the plane had been shot down by Russian air defenses in a troubling error. The wreckage revealed shrapnel embedded in a passenger's leg, alongside extensive damage to the fuselage.
On December 29, Aliyev publicly expressed his outrage, implicitly criticizing Putin without naming him. He stated, “Attempts to deny obvious facts are both nonsensical and absurd.” This unprecedented forthrightness from Aliyev illustrates a remarkable shift in the relationship between the two leaders, who had previously enjoyed a cooperative rapport for over two decades.
While Aliyev’s condemnation sheds light on a growing confidence borne from Russia's diminished sway in the region, it also underscores the strain in post-Soviet dynamics. Attempts by Putin to persuade Aliyev to downplay the incident appear to have backfired, with Azerbaijan's leadership now demanding acknowledgment of Russia's culpability in the incident.
However, Aliyev, according to sources privy to the conversation, was unconvinced. Reports indicated that the plane had been shot down by Russian air defenses in a troubling error. The wreckage revealed shrapnel embedded in a passenger's leg, alongside extensive damage to the fuselage.
On December 29, Aliyev publicly expressed his outrage, implicitly criticizing Putin without naming him. He stated, “Attempts to deny obvious facts are both nonsensical and absurd.” This unprecedented forthrightness from Aliyev illustrates a remarkable shift in the relationship between the two leaders, who had previously enjoyed a cooperative rapport for over two decades.
While Aliyev’s condemnation sheds light on a growing confidence borne from Russia's diminished sway in the region, it also underscores the strain in post-Soviet dynamics. Attempts by Putin to persuade Aliyev to downplay the incident appear to have backfired, with Azerbaijan's leadership now demanding acknowledgment of Russia's culpability in the incident.
