Russian President Vladimir Putin has admitted that last year’s Azerbaijan Airlines crash, which killed 38 people, occurred as a result of an explosion caused by Russian air defence missiles. Putin announced that compensation would be provided to those affected by the incident.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has confessed that Russian air defence missiles were behind the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane last year. This statement is regarded as the Kremlin’s most explicit acknowledgment of responsibility to date.
During a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Tajikistan, Putin reiterated his condolences over the tragic crash. The Russian leader said, “Everything necessary will be done by the Russian side in such tragic cases. All legal and official procedures regarding compensation will be carried out.”
“Missiles Exploded Near the Plane”
Putin also shared details about the chain of events that led to the crash. He said that after Ukrainian drones entered Russian airspace, two Russian air defence missiles exploded near the Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer flight J2-8243 passenger jet.
“The missiles fired did not directly hit the aircraft. It is likely that the self-destruct mechanism was activated, and the missiles exploded about 10 metres away from the plane,” Putin said, noting that the damage was caused not by the warheads themselves but by missile debris.
38 People Lost Their Lives
The crash occurred on 25 December 2024, when the Embraer jet travelling from Baku to Grozny changed course during Ukrainian drone attacks in southern Russia. The plane sustained severe damage and made an emergency landing near Aktau, Kazakhstan, killing at least 38 people.
A report prepared by the Kazakh government after the incident revealed holes in the fuselage consistent with external impact.
Aliyev Accepted the Apology
Shortly after the crash, Putin publicly apologised to Aliyev, describing the incident as a “tragic mistake.” During their latest meeting in Tajikistan, Aliyev welcomed Putin’s renewed discussion of the matter.
“Thank you for bringing this issue up and for providing clarity,” Aliyev said.
Putin noted that the investigation was not yet complete but stated that Russia would release a comprehensive technical and legal report.
This statement is seen as a significant diplomatic turning point in resolving the incident that had strained relations between the two countries.
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