Kremlin acknowledges strained ties with Baku, awaits legal move over AZAL crash

Moscow will await official rulings if Azerbaijan files a lawsuit in international courts over the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) aircraft near Aktau, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on July 21. 

He noted that the investigation is still ongoing and emphasised that Azerbaijan has the right to pursue legal action if it chooses to do so, Caliber.Az reports via TASS.

Peskov also acknowledged the current strain in relations between Moscow and Baku, describing it as a "difficult period" despite the traditionally strong ties between the two countries. 

“There is indeed a solid foundation, there is a convergence of interests, and mutually beneficial cooperation based on mutual respect,” he said. “But sometimes, in relations between two countries, difficult periods occur. Now is one of those periods.” 

He expressed hope that this phase would pass, reaffirming that cooperation remains valuable for both sides.

President Ilham Aliyev has called for accountability, warning that Azerbaijan is preparing to take the matter to international judicial bodies if Russia continues to avoid responsibility.

Speaking at the 3rd Shusha Global Media Forum, Aliyev underscored the gravity of the incident and expressed frustration at Russia's silence more than seven months after the crash.

“For us, everything is clear. We know what happened, and we can prove it. And we know that Russian officials know what happened,” he said. “The question is: why do they not do what any neighbor would do? Our requests or demands are absolutely natural: – Admit that this accident was their fault; – Punish those who shot down our plane; – Pay compensation to the families of the victims, to those who were wounded, and to AZAL for the loss of the plane.”

The Azerbaijani president rejected alternative explanations, including the claim that a Ukrainian drone may have struck the aircraft. 

In December 2024, Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243, an Embraer 190 aircraft flying from Baku to Grozny, tragically crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, during an emergency landing. The flight was diverted due to severe weather and suffered critical damage from an external missile strike linked to Russian air defence systems operating in the area. The crash resulted in 38 fatalities, including both pilots who were later honoured as national heroes for their bravery.

By Sabina Mammadli