Top diplomat: Downed AZAL plane at centre of Azerbaijan-Russia tensions Not Ukraine Conflict

Tensions in relations between Azerbaijan and Russia are linked to the downing of an AZAL aircraft and the events surrounding the incident, and are not related to the Russia-Ukraine war, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said.

Speaking at a year-end press conference, Bayramov emphasised that Azerbaijan’s foreign policy, guided by President Ilham Aliyev, is consistent and principled, Caliber.Az reports.

“Among our priorities is a clear distinction in how we engage with countries close to us compared with others. Azerbaijan’s position, from the perspective of international law and justice, has always been clear,” he said.

He added that, since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, Azerbaijan has managed to maintain good relations with both Russia and Ukraine.

“We have always supported international law and openly defended Ukraine’s territorial integrity, adhering to this just stance, which has been understood by the other side,” Bayramov said.

On December 25, 2024, an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) Embraer 190 passenger jet operating flight J2‑8243 from Baku to Grozny crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, killing 38 people and injuring 29. The aircraft, carrying 62 passengers and five crew, was diverted toward Kazakhstan after suffering critical damage over Russian airspace. 

Preliminary investigations indicate the plane was shot down by a Russian Pantsir‑S air defence system during operations targeting perceived threats in the region, and electronic warfare measures disrupted its communications, causing radar loss and forcing the diversion. An interim report confirmed external damage from weapon fragments rather than internal failure.

By Aghakazim Guliyev