Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued an apology after an Azerbaijani airliner crashed in Kazakhstan, resulting in 38 deaths.
Putin apologized for the incident, which occurred within Russian airspace without confirming that the plane was shot down by Russian forces, AP News reported.
The tragedy involved the crash of an Azerbaijani airline aircraft, which was initially en route from Baku to Grozny. Instead, problematic circumstances diverted it to Kazakhstan, where it ultimately crashed near Aktau, causing 38 fatalities and leaving 29 survivors.
Following the crash, criminal investigations have been launched by both Russian and Azerbaijani authorities in Grozny, where the aircraft was originally destined to land. The Kremlin confirmed that on the day of the crash, their air defense systems were active near Grozny airport in response to a nearby Ukrainian drone.
Joint investigations by Russian, Azerbaijani, and Kazakhstani authorities are underway at the crash site. They aim to thoroughly understand the catastrophe's circumstances, which saw the Russian president apologizing to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. President Putin expressed regret for the tragic incident occurring in Russian airspace.
The concerns rise even higher given the loud noises reported by survivors during the flight, suggesting a possible engagement with an external force. President Ilham Aliyev hinted at this possibility by stating the aircraft experienced external physical and technical interference that compromised the safety of the flight and injured occupants due to foreign particles penetrating the cabin.
Dmitry Yadrov, an official from Rosaviatsia, described the challenging conditions the flight faced. The aircraft tried to land in Grozny amidst thick fog while reports indicated Ukrainian drones were nearby, prompting local authorities to temporarily close the airspace.
Dmitry Yadrov added that after two failed landing attempts, the pilot considered alternative nearby airports but chose to head to Aktau in Kazakhstan, where the crash later occurred.
Rosaviatsia initially speculated that a bird strike might have caused the crash, but the more severe allegations of a missile strike by Russian defenses have since taken precedence. U.S. and Azerbaijani officials have supported these allegations, suggesting that external weaponry could have caused the crash.
If determined that Russian anti-aircraft fire caused the disaster, this would mark another dreadful incident in civil aviation related to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine since the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014. This possibility has led to significant apprehension within the international community, reflected in several airlines, including Azerbaijan Airlines, suspending operations to additional Russian destinations due to safety concerns in the airspace.
In response to the tragic event, President Joe Biden suggested that President Putin might have implicitly taken responsibility for the incident, though he admittedly had not had direct conversations with the Russian leader about this matter.
Amid the ongoing investigations and international scrutiny, the crash has raised alarming questions about aviation safety and the collateral impact of military engagements on civilian aircraft. The international investigations spearheaded by Azerbaijan may provide further clarity into how such a calamity could unfold and potentially shape future protocols to safeguard civil aviation amidst regional conflicts.
The incident underscores the volatile intersection of military conflict and civil aviation, warranting stringent international measures to prevent future tragedies. The comprehensive investigations by authorities from Russia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan, along with the involvement of international experts, strive to establish a clear narrative and prevent future recurrences in increasingly tense airspace environments.
