Russian official vows ties with Azerbaijan unshakable despite AZAL tragedy

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova reaffirmed the strong partnership between Azerbaijan and Russia in response to concerns surrounding the tragic AZAL plane crash that occurred in late December 2024.

Speaking to the media, Zakharova emphasized that the longstanding relationship between the two nations, built on decades of cooperation and international agreements, remains steadfast despite any challenges that may arise, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

"Azerbaijan and Russia enjoy partnership, allied relations, and all attempts to sow discord in these relations are destined to fail," Zakharova said.

She went on to explain that while relations between countries with rich and intense histories often come with their share of complex issues, both sides have consistently worked to resolve them in a constructive manner. "We are prepared to address any issues in a cooperative way, as we have demonstrated on numerous occasions," she added.

Zakharova also acknowledged the deep emotional impact of the AZAL plane crash, which claimed the lives of Azerbaijani citizens as well as Russian nationals. "We know what worries official Baku. The tragedy, which was experienced acutely both in Azerbaijan and in Russia, has left a profound mark on both nations," she stated.

The spokesperson concluded by reiterating that efforts to create division between the two countries, who share a history, a zone of regional responsibility, and significant prospects for development, are bound to fail. "Attempts to drive a wedge between our peoples and our countries are doomed to failure," Zakharova affirmed.

On December 25, 2024, Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243, an Embraer 190AR aircraft, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, during an emergency landing attempt. The flight was travelling from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia. Out of the 67 people on board — 62 passengers and 5 crew members — 38 tragically died, while 29 survived. Among the crew, three lost their lives, and two survived.

On February 4, Reuters reported that the Azerbaijani aircraft was hit by a Russian Pantsir-S air defence system. An Azerbaijani government source confirmed this information, stating that a fragment of a Pantsir-S missile was recovered from the wreckage and identified through international expertise.

This finding fully corroborates earlier reports by Caliber.Az, which stated that the aircraft was shot down by a Russian Pantsir-S system.

By Vafa Guliyeva