Azerbaijan’s president calls for Russia’s official admission over AZAL plane crash Photo

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has demanded an official acknowledgement from the Russian Federation regarding the plane crash that occurred in December 2024, according to prominent media outlets in Romania and Bulgaria.

It is noted that the President spoke about this during his address at the 3rd Shusha Global Media Forum held in Shusha, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

Romanian media outlets such as Evenimentul Zilei, Mediafax, and the national news agency AGEPRES, as well as Bulgaria’s BTA news agency, 24 Chasa and other publications, report that the president considers it essential for Russia to officially accept responsibility for shooting down Azerbaijan’s passenger plane.

The Romanian and Bulgarian press not only provide extensive coverage of the incident but also regard President Ilham Aliyev’s remarks as an important appeal concerning regional security and international law.

On December 25, 2024, Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243, an Embraer 190, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, while en route from Baku to Grozny. The tragedy resulted in 38 fatalities and 29 survivors, including crew members.

The flight departed Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku and was approaching Kadyrov Grozny International Airport when it experienced critical issues. Approximately 40 minutes into the journey, the crew reported loss of GPS navigation due to signal jamming as they entered Russian airspace. The aircraft diverted towards Aktau for an emergency landing but lost control and crashed near the airport.

Preliminary investigations by Azerbaijani authorities, with cooperation from Kazakhstan and Russia, revealed evidence of “external physical and technical interference.” Analysis of the wreckage showed shrapnel damage consistent with a missile strike. Sources close to the investigation indicate the plane was likely downed by a Russian anti-aircraft missile.

In response, Azerbaijan Airlines suspended flights to several Russian destinations and demanded an international inquiry beyond the post-Soviet states. President Ilham Aliyev publicly called on Russia to officially acknowledge responsibility, apologise, punish those accountable, and provide compensation to the victims’ families.

By Aghakazim Guliyev