On December 25, 2024, an Azerbaijan Airlines flight crashed in Kazakhstan after attempting to land in Grozny, Chechnya. Russian President Putin expressed regret but did not accept responsibility, as reports suggest a Russian anti-aircraft system may have downed the plane. The crash killed 38 people, and investigations continue.
On December 25, an Azerbaijan Airlines flight crashed after attempting to land in Grozny, Chechnya. The crash resulted in 38 fatalities. While Russia's President, Vladimir Putin, expressed regret over the tragedy, he refrained from acknowledging any direct responsibility. The flight, which had been traveling from Baku, Azerbaijan, diverted east after struggling to land in heavy fog and amid a series of explosions.
Russian authorities claim the plane was in Grozny as Ukrainian drones attacked nearby regions, and the Russian air defense system responded to these threats. Though Putin acknowledged the presence of Russian air defense systems, he did not confirm if they were involved in the downing of the plane.
Reports from U.S. officials suggest the plane may have been struck by Russian anti-aircraft missiles, with the aircraft eventually crashing near Aktau, Kazakhstan, after being diverted. The crash left 29 survivors, some of whom were critically injured.
Azerbaijan’s government has refrained from directly blaming Russia, while international calls for a full investigation are growing. Russia's investigative committee has opened a criminal case, although many are calling for an independent inquiry into the incident. The plane's flight recorders have been recovered, and the investigation is ongoing.
