In a significant admission, Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged for the first time that Russia was involved in the December 2024 crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet. The statement came ten months after the tragic incident which resulted in the deaths of 38 people. Putin’s acknowledgment was made during a high-stakes meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Putin described the event as a “tragedy,” explaining the circumstances that led to the fatal error. He stated that on the day of the crash, December 25, 2024, Russian air defense systems had deployed missiles to intercept what they identified as Ukrainian drones. According to Putin, these drones detonated just “meters away” from the passenger aircraft, leading to the catastrophic event.
The passenger jet was en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, the capital of Russia’s Chechen Republic. Following the impact from the Russian air defense fire, the damaged aircraft attempted an emergency landing in western Kazakhstan but ultimately crashed. Of the 67 individuals on board, 38 tragically lost their lives, sending shockwaves through the region.
The admission follows a long period of tension between the two nations, with Azerbaijani officials previously stating the jet was accidentally hit by Russian forces. President Aliyev openly criticized Moscow’s handling of the aftermath, accusing them of attempting to “hush up” the incident. The controversy has noticeably strained the once-warm diplomatic relationship between Russia and Azerbaijan.
In an effort to mend ties and address the tragedy, Putin assured President Aliyev that Russia would take all necessary measures to provide adequate compensation to the victims’ families. He also pledged a thorough legal review of the actions of the officials involved, promising accountability for the fatal mistake.