Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev accused Russia of shooting down Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243, which crash-landed in Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Christmas Day. The incident claimed the lives of 38 passengers and crew out of the 67 onboard. Aliyev alleged that evidence points to Russian surface-to-air missiles as the cause, though he clarified there is no indication the attack was intentional.
Aliyev’s remarks followed days of tension between Azerbaijan and Russia. Survivor testimony and crash evidence reportedly showed signs of missile-related damage to the fuselage. The flight, en route from Baku to Grozny, traversed Russian airspace during a period of heightened military activity, with Russian forces targeting Ukrainian drones nearby.
Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan initially refrained from directly implicating Russia, reflecting their efforts to maintain diplomatic ties. However, mounting evidence led Azeri officials to conclude that the aircraft was struck by Russian weapons. Aliyev also cited potential interference from Russian electronic warfare, which could have caused the aircraft’s deviation across the Caspian Sea to Kazakhstan.
Russia suggested bird strikes as a possible cause, a theory dismissed by international aviation experts. Ukrainian officials noted the plane flew through contested airspace, where Russian military activity is significant. The crash has prompted broader scrutiny of Russia’s actions in the region.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed condolences and issued an apology to Aliyev in a phone call but stopped short of accepting responsibility. This response left Aliyev dissatisfied, as he has demanded three actions from Moscow: a formal admission of guilt, criminal accountability for those responsible, and compensation for Azerbaijan and the victims.
Following the incident, Azerbaijan suspended flight operations to seven Russian cities and blocked Russian flights from three locations into Azerbaijan. The move signals Azerbaijan’s firm stance on accountability and safety in the wake of the tragedy.
