Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended condolences to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev after an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, resulting in 38 fatalities.
The Embraer 190 aircraft, en route from Baku to Grozny, was reportedly struck by a Russian missile, leading to its downing. At the time, Russian air defense systems were active in the Chechnya region, responding to Ukrainian drone attacks. Despite these operations, Russian authorities have not officially confirmed that their defenses were responsible for the incident.
In a statement, President Putin expressed deep sorrow over the “tragic incident” and conveyed sympathies to the families of the victims. He also wished a swift recovery to the 29 survivors.
Investigations are ongoing, with both Azerbaijani and Russian officials involved. While some U.S. and Azerbaijani sources suggest the plane may have been downed by Russian air defenses, Russian authorities have proposed alternative explanations, including potential bird strikes.
In the wake of the crash, Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended flights to several Russian airports, citing technical and safety concerns.
