Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued an apology to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev following a tragic airliner crash in Kazakhstan. However, he refrained from accepting responsibility amid ongoing allegations of Russian involvement.
The crash of the Azerbaijani airliner in Kazakhstan, which resulted in the death of 38 individuals, has sparked significant controversy. Allegations suggest that the aircraft may have been downed by Russian air defenses as they attempted to intercept a Ukrainian drone in the vicinity of Grozny, Chechnya. The Kremlin acknowledged that air defense systems were active near Grozny airport during the airliner’s repeated landing attempts but stopped short of admitting any direct hit on the plane.
Putin’s apology, as stated in an official Kremlin release, expressed regret for the incident occurring within Russian airspace. Meanwhile, a joint investigation by Russia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan is underway, with Azerbaijani prosecutors present in Grozny to delve into the details surrounding the crash site near Aktau.
Survivors of the crash have provided testimony to Azerbaijani media, recounting loud noises heard aboard the aircraft as it circled Grozny. There have been claims of ‘external physical and technical interference,’ with Azerbaijan’s President stating that the plane had multiple fuselage holes and passengers suffered injuries from foreign particles during the flight. This has fueled speculation of a potential attack.
As investigations continue, Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended flights to several Russian airports, citing safety concerns. Similarly, other airlines like Kazakhstan’s Qazaq Air, Turkmenistan Airlines, and Israel’s El Al have halted services to Russian destinations, reflecting widespread caution amid the ongoing situation.
The incident brings to mind the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine by a Russian missile, which had devastating consequences. Although the international community has called for clarity, there has been no official confirmation from Moscow regarding responsibility in the current case.
The aviation tragedy has not only strained relations between Russia and Azerbaijan but also raised critical questions about air safety in conflict zones. As joint investigations progress, the international community remains attentive to any developments.
Source: Nbcmiami
