Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev claimed that the plane crash in Kazakhstan, which killed 38 people, was caused by external fire from Russian territory. Preliminary investigations suggest possible involvement of Russian air defense systems, while survivors reported feeling explosions. Aliyev criticized Russia for raising alternative explanations and called for an admission of guilt. Discussions with President Putin revealed condolences but no official acknowledgment of responsibility.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated on Sunday that the Azerbaijan Airlines plane which crashed in Kazakhstan, resulting in 38 fatalities, sustained damage from external fire originating from Russian territory. The Embraer 190 aircraft was en route from Baku to Grozny when it crashed near Aktau on Christmas Day. Aliyev provided insights into the ongoing investigation, suggesting the plane was incapacitated by electronic warfare and had multiple shrapnel holes in its fuselage. Survivors reported experiencing explosions outside the aircraft before control was lost.
President Aliyev indicated that he does not perceive the damage to the plane as intentional. However, he criticized Russian authorities for initially presenting alternate narratives regarding the cause of the crash, which included theories of bird strikes and adverse weather conditions. In comments made to state media, he expressed concern over these narratives, stating “This openly showed that the Russian side wants to hush up the issue, and this, of course, does no one credit.”
During a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Aliyev was informed that the Kremlin had expressed condolences for the tragedy but did not clearly acknowledge responsibility. Putin’s office indicated that the incident occurred amidst ongoing Ukrainian drone attacks, with Moscow’s air defense systems retaliating at that time.
White House national security communications adviser John Kirby noted that preliminary indications suggest the plane could have been downed by Russian air defense systems, although the investigation remains in its early stages. The situation continues to develop as authorities analyze the flight recorder data for more insights into the crash.
In summary, President Aliyev has alleged that the Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed was damaged by fire from Russian territory. The ongoing investigation is scrutinizing these claims and various factors contributing to the crash, including the possibility of Russian air defense involvement. The conversation between the leaders of Azerbaijan and Russia following the incident reflects the complex dynamics surrounding the tragedy, with Aliyev urging for accountability from Russia.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
