Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed sorrow over the Christmas Day crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane, calling it a tragic incident while refraining from admitting Russian responsibility. In a Kremlin statement, Putin extended condolences to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and the families of the 38 victims among the 67 passengers on board. The plane, en route from Baku to Grozny, crash-landed in Kazakhstan after veering off course.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also extended condolences but urged Russia to ensure transparency in the ongoing investigation. He called for answers amid growing speculation, including claims that the crash might have been caused by GPS disruptions or air defence missiles targeting Ukrainian drones. Survivors reported hearing explosions before the crash, fueling suspicions of external interference.
The Kremlin acknowledged ongoing drone attacks in Russian regions during the incident, with air defence systems reportedly engaged at the time. While Russian media initially blamed poor weather, Azerbaijan’s transport minister, Rashad Nabiyev, suggested external interference as a potential cause, citing survivor testimonies of multiple blasts mid-air.
The White House revealed it had “early indications” of possible Russian involvement and has offered support to the investigation. Both Russia and Azerbaijan have launched probes to determine the cause of the crash, as survivors share their harrowing accounts of the tragedy.