Putin Admits Russian Air Defenses Downed Azerbaijani Jet, Killing 38
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday acknowledged that Russian air defenses were responsible for the December 2024 downing of an Azerbaijani passenger jet that killed 38 people, marking his first public admission of fault in the incident.
Speaking at a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, where both leaders attended a summit of former Soviet states, Putin said Russian missiles aimed at a Ukrainian drone accidentally struck the Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 jet. The aircraft had been en route from Baku to Grozny, the capital of Russia’s Chechnya region, when it crashed on December 25, 2024.
Putin explained that the tragedy occurred due to a “technical malfunction” in the air defense system, which caused two missiles to detonate just 10 meters (33 feet) from the passenger plane.
“The Russian side will do everything to provide compensation and ensure that those responsible face legal consequences,” Putin said, adding that no amount of action could “bring back to life those who died as a result of the tragedy.”
Azerbaijani authorities had earlier reported that the jet was mistakenly hit by Russian fire before attempting an emergency landing in western Kazakhstan, where it crashed. Of the 67 people on board, 38 were killed.
While Putin had previously apologized to Aliyev and called the crash a “tragic incident,” this is the first time Moscow has publicly taken responsibility. Aliyev, who had earlier accused Russia of trying to “hush up” the matter, thanked Putin for personally overseeing the investigation.
“I would like to thank you for keeping the situation under your personal control,” Aliyev said.
The crash strained relations between the two neighbors, already tested by the deaths of ethnic Azerbaijanis in Russia and the detention of Russian citizens in Azerbaijan. However, both leaders on Thursday expressed readiness to mend ties.
“I hope that our cooperation will not only be restored but continue in the spirit of our alliance,” Putin stated. Aliyev agreed, describing their discussions as “broad and positive.”
Azerbaijan remains strategically important for Russia, serving as a key trade corridor to Iran and the Middle East. The Caspian nation also supplies agricultural products to Russia and hosts a large Azerbaijani diaspora, estimated at up to 2 million people.
During his visit to Tajikistan, Putin also met with President Emomali Rakhmon to reinforce Moscow’s ties with the Central Asian nation, noting that over one million Tajik citizens currently work in Russia. Later, he joined leaders from four other Central Asian countries to discuss expanding regional trade and cooperation.
“Russia firmly intends to strengthen its strategic partnership and deepen mutually beneficial political, economic, and humanitarian relations,” Putin said.
