Azerbaijan, Russia announce settlement over AZAL plane crash compensation

The Azerbaijani and Russian foreign ministries have issued a joint statement confirming a settlement over the consequences of the crash of an Embraer 190 operated by Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL).

The aircraft crashed near the city of Aktau on December, 25, 2024. The statement says the incident was linked to the “unintended operation of an air defense system in the airspace of the Russian Federation,” Caliber.Az reports, citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

According to the document, “the Parties have reached an appropriate settlement of the consequences, including the issue of payment of compensation,” following understandings reached between the two countries’ presidents in Dushanbe on October 9, 2025.

The joint statement emphasised that the agreement reflects “the mutual intention to build further mutually beneficial cooperation within the framework of allied interaction.”

The parties also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations based on mutual respect, trust, and consideration of each other’s interests.

“We express confidence that the progressive development of Azerbaijan-Russia relations, based on mutual respect, trust, and taking into account each other’s interests, will continue to contribute to strengthening good-neighborly relations and expanding cooperation in the interests of the peoples of the two countries.

We once again extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the airplane crash and share the pain of this irreparable loss with all those affected by the tragedy,” the statement added.

The crash occurred on December 25, 2024, when an Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan’s leading carrier, AZAL, flying route J2-8243 from Baku to Grozny, went down approximately three kilometres from Aktau in Kazakhstan.

There were 67 people on board: 42 citizens of Azerbaijan, 16 of Russia, 6 of Kazakhstan, and 3 of Kyrgyzstan.

As a result of the crash, 38 people were killed, while 29 survived.

According to preliminary findings of the investigation, the aircraft came under fire from a Russian Pantsir-S air defence system while approaching Grozny.

By Vugar Khalilov