Outrage Escalates as Blame Shifts to Russia in Fatal Azerbaijan Plane Crash
Public outrage is mounting in Azerbaijan after President Ilham Aliyev accused Russia of shooting down an airliner and attempting to cover up the incident. The disaster, which occurred on December 25, resulted in the deaths of 38 people and injuries to 29 others.
In a televised interview on December 29, President Aliyev stated that the plane was struck by ground fire over Russia and was rendered uncontrollable by electronic warfare. He emphasized that Russia was responsible for the tragic incident, although he did not believe it was done intentionally.
Following the incident, public anger towards Russia has been evident in online discourse and through state-owned and pro-government media in Azerbaijan. Despite traditionally being allies and neighbors, Azerbaijan’s criticism of Russia’s handling of the situation has been harsh and unrelenting.
Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an apology to President Aliyev on December 28, attributing the incident to Russian air defenses engaging Ukrainian attack drones. However, some Azerbaijani analysts have expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of a complete apology and an offer of compensation from Russia, suggesting that it could strain relations between the two countries.
In response to the backlash, Russia’s Investigative Committee Chairman has pledged a full and objective investigation into the crash. Flight recorders have been sent to Brazil for analysis by Azerbaijani and international experts. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan paid tribute to the victims of the downed plane and held a state funeral for the flight’s crew, with three members posthumously awarded the title of National Hero of Azerbaijan.
As the investigation continues and tensions rise between Azerbaijan and Russia, it remains to be seen how the two countries will navigate this difficult situation and work towards resolving the aftermath of the tragic incident.
