Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an apology to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for a “tragic incident” that unfolded in Russian airspace involving Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243. The plane crashed in a fiery explosion near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday, claiming the lives of at least 38 passengers after it was diverted from its original route over southern Russia.
The incident occurred amidst reported Ukrainian drone assaults on several Russian cities including Grozny, Mozdok, and Vladikavkaz. According to the Kremlin, Russian air defense systems were actively engaged in countering these drone incursions at the time of the crash.
Four sources privy to the preliminary investigation findings confirmed to Reuters that the plane was inadvertently downed by Russian air defenses. The Kremlin’s statement on Saturday conveyed Putin’s deep condolences to the victims’ families and wishes for a swift recovery for those injured.
Azerbaijan’s president highlighted that the aircraft encountered “external physical and technical interference” in Russian airspace, leading to a total loss of control and the emergency diversion to Aktau, Kazakhstan. The Embraer passenger jet was en route from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to Grozny in Russia’s Chechnya region before it veered dramatically off course across the Caspian Sea.
The call for the apology was initiated by Putin, indicating a response to the escalating situation and the tragic outcome of the incident.