Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has made a bold accusation against Russia, claiming that a tragic incident involving the downing of an airliner was caused by Russian actions. The disaster, which resulted in the loss of 38 lives, occurred on Christmas Day and has sparked a heated debate between the two nations.
According to Aliyev, the plane, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, was en route to Grozny in Chechnya when it was forced to make an emergency landing near Aktau, Kazakhstan. Initial reports from Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency suggested that the plane crashed due to a collision with birds. However, evidence such as perforations in the plane's body resembling shrapnel damage has led to speculation that the aircraft may have been shot down by Russian air defense units.
Aliyev emphasized that while the incident may have been accidental, it is crucial for Russia to take responsibility and offer a full apology. He criticized Russia's attempts to deflect blame and cover up the true cause of the crash, calling for transparency and accountability in the investigation process.
Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's apology for the incident occurring in Russian airspace, Aliyev remains firm in his stance that Russia must acknowledge its role in the tragedy. He expressed skepticism towards Russia's proposed investigation by the Interstate Aviation Committee, citing concerns about the organization's impartiality due to its predominantly Russian composition.
In response to the ongoing controversy, authorities in Kazakhstan have announced plans to send the flight recorders to Brazil for analysis by international experts. Additionally, Russia has pledged to conduct a thorough and objective investigation to identify those responsible for the disaster.
The incident, involving a Brazilian-made Embraer 190 aircraft, has raised questions about aviation safety and international cooperation in addressing air disasters. As the investigation unfolds, both Azerbaijan and Russia are under scrutiny to uphold transparency and ensure justice for the victims and their families.
