TDT | Manama

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed regret over the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines flight in Russian airspace near Grozny, Chechnya. The incident occurred on Wednesday, claiming the lives of 38 passengers. However, Putin stopped short of acknowledging Russian responsibility for the tragedy.

According to a Kremlin statement, the passenger jet repeatedly attempted to land at Grozny Airport but was unable to do so. The plane diverted eastward and ultimately crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan. Passengers aboard included citizens of Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, with two children among the survivors.

Conflicting Theories on the Cause

While the exact cause remains unconfirmed, a U.S. official told CNN that preliminary evidence points to a Russian anti-aircraft system potentially downing the plane. Video footage and images of the wreckage reveal perforations on the fuselage resembling damage caused by shrapnel, though this has not been officially verified.

CNN aviation analyst Miles O’Brien noted that bent metal around the holes suggests an explosion near the aircraft’s tail. Survivors’ accounts and investigations by Azerbaijani authorities also indicate “external physical and technical interference,” according to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.

Aliyev shared these findings with Putin during a phone call, stating that injuries and damage were consistent with “foreign particles penetrating the cabin mid-flight.” The Kremlin, however, linked the crash to simultaneous drone attacks on the Grozny, Mozdok, and Vladikavkaz regions by Ukrainian forces, which prompted Russian air defenses to respond.

Official Responses

In a call with Aliyev, Putin “apologized for the tragic incident in Russian airspace” but did not confirm that Russian air defenses were responsible. He also conveyed condolences to Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, demanded clear answers from Russia, emphasizing that visible damage to the plane strongly suggests a missile strike. “Russia must provide clear explanations and stop spreading disinformation,” Zelensky stated on X.

U.S. President Joe Biden, when asked about the incident, noted that Putin appeared to have accepted some responsibility but withheld further comments pending discussions with his team.

Broader Impact

The crash has prompted at least five airlines, including Azerbaijan Airlines, Turkmenistan Airlines, Flydubai, El Al Israel, and Qazaq Air, to suspend flights to certain regions in Russia. Most cited safety concerns as their primary reason.

Russian authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the incident, but no official conclusions have been released. The tragedy highlights escalating tensions in the region and raises fresh concerns about the safety of civilian air traffic near conflict zones.

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