Putin Apologizes to Azerbaijan’s Aliyev for “Tragic Incident” Involving Passenger Plane Crash

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday expressed his heartfelt apology to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev following the tragic crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane. The incident, which unfolded in Russian airspace on Wednesday, resulted in the loss of 38 lives and left 29 survivors grappling with the aftermath.

Flight J2-8243, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, was on its scheduled route from Baku to Grozny when it encountered unforeseen complications. Diverting from its intended path, the plane ultimately crashed in a ball of fire near Aktau, a city on Kazakhstan’s Caspian Sea coast.

The crash occurred amid heightened tensions in the region, as several southern Russian cities, including Grozny, Mozdok, and Vladikavkaz, reportedly faced attacks from Ukrainian drones at the time.

The Kremlin, in a statement issued after Putin’s conversation with Aliyev, provided insight into the chaotic circumstances surrounding the incident:

“The Azerbaijani passenger aircraft, which was traveling according to its schedule, repeatedly attempted to land at Grozny airport. At that time, Grozny, Mozdok, and Vladikavkaz were under attack by Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, and Russian air defense systems were actively repelling these attacks.”

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In his apology, Putin conveyed his deep regret and extended his condolences to the victims’ families, as well as best wishes for the recovery of those injured. The Kremlin underscored Putin’s personal acknowledgment of the tragedy and his direct communication with President Aliyev as a gesture of respect and solidarity.

“President Vladimir Putin apologized for the tragic incident that occurred in Russian airspace and once again expressed his deep and sincere condolences to the families of the victims,” the Kremlin’s statement read.

While investigations are ongoing, the circumstances surrounding the crash highlight the broader impact of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The active drone attacks on Russian cities and the subsequent activation of air defense systems illustrate the heightened state of military alert in the region.