President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia expressed condolences to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during a phone call regarding the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane that resulted in the deaths of 38 individuals. This marked the Kremlin's first public acknowledgment of the incident after three days of silence.
In the conversation, Putin stated, “the tragic incident took place in Russian airspace,” but did not explicitly accept responsibility for the crash. The Kremlin indicated that the call was initiated by Putin.
As the aircraft approached its destination in Grozny, Russian air defenses were reportedly responding to an attack by Ukrainian drones, according to the Kremlin. However, the statement did not directly link the crash to a Russian air-defense missile, which is a focus of the ongoing investigation in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan's presidential office confirmed the apology from Putin but suggested that the incident was due to interference from Russian air defenses. President Aliyev highlighted that the passenger plane experienced “external physical and technical interference” while in Russian airspace, leading to a loss of control. He commended the pilots for their skill in executing an emergency landing.
Aliyev has called for a comprehensive investigation and accountability for those responsible for the crash. The theory that a Russian missile may have caused the incident has gained traction among aviation experts and U.S. officials.
The Embraer 190 airliner was en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny but was diverted and ultimately crashed in Aktau, Kazakhstan, after crossing the Caspian Sea. Among the deceased were more than half Azerbaijani citizens, as well as seven Russians and six Kazakhs.
Putin announced that Russia has launched a criminal investigation into the crash and is collaborating with Azerbaijani investigators in Grozny. The Kremlin's statement emphasized cooperation among Russia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan in the aftermath of the tragedy.
However, Aliyev's more accusatory remarks indicate a potential fracture in the Kremlin's narrative control. Both Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have sought to strengthen economic ties with the West while managing their relationships with Russia, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The Kremlin's failure to accept full responsibility complicates these nations' efforts to maintain amicable relations with Russia while avoiding perceptions of weakness domestically and internationally. Analysts note that Putin's response contrasts sharply with Azerbaijan's previous acceptance of responsibility for a 2020 incident involving the downing of a Russian military helicopter.
Zaur Shiriyev, an expert on Azerbaijan, characterized Putin's statement as a “non-apology apology,” lacking direct acknowledgment of responsibility or commitments for accountability.