AZAL Disaster: Russia Claims Ukrainian Drones Behind Fatal Incident

A significant diplomatic impasse between Moscow and Baku appears to be nearing resolution following a high-stakes meeting in Dushanbe, where Russian President Vladimir Putin offered a detailed explanation for the tragic crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) aircraft. The incident, which occurred amidst heightened regional tensions, had previously strained relations between the two former Soviet republics, with initial speculation pointing to Russian air defense systems as a potential cause.

The high-level talks between President Putin and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev unfolded at the opulent Kohi Somon palace. According to Interfax reports, after customary pleasantries, President Putin promptly addressed the devastating aviation accident, acknowledging its profound impact. The AZAL Embraer E190, en route from Baku to Grozny, went down near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 25, 2024. The catastrophe claimed 38 lives, though 29 individuals miraculously survived. Unofficial circles within the Azerbaijani government had, at the time, voiced concerns that the airliner might have been inadvertently struck by a Russian air defense missile.

During their dialogue, President Putin reiterated his apologies to President Aliyev, subsequently presenting Moscow’s official account of events. He directly linked the aircraft’s demise to the activities of Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), stating, “On the day of the AZAL tragedy, Russia was tracking three Ukrainian drones that had crossed the Russian Federation’s border.” The Russian leader further clarified that the airliner was not hit by the primary destructive elements of air defense missiles but rather by fragments from such ordnance. He elaborated that two missiles, deployed by Russian PVO systems, had detonated just metres from the AZAL jet, failing to achieve a direct hit but causing catastrophic damage through their fragmentation. Furthermore, Putin revealed that the AZAL crew had been advised to divert and land in Makhachkala, but pilots ultimately opted to return to their home base.

President Putin emphasized that the definitive causes of the AZAL crash became clear only after an exhaustive analysis, with the final piece of information reaching him just two days prior to the Dushanbe summit. He affirmed Moscow’s readiness to conduct a thorough legal assessment of all officials involved in the incident and to undertake all necessary measures, including offering financial compensation to the victims’ families. He also cautioned that a complete and final resolution to this complex situation would require additional time.

In response, President Aliyev, as reported by APA agency, expressed his gratitude to President Putin for the comprehensive details provided regarding the AZAL aircraft. This exchange marks a crucial step in de-escalating the diplomatic tensions that have enveloped the two nations since the incident.

Notably, the Russian explanation comes after an earlier report issued by the Kazakhstani Ministry of Transport, which presented its own findings from the crash investigation. That report indicated that shortly before the tragic event, the aircraft experienced multiple system malfunctions. It subsequently sustained two impacts from external objects, leading to an explosion, cabin depressurization, loss of control, and the eventual crash. Investigators on the ground reportedly discovered foreign metallic fragments embedded within the aircraft’s structure, a detail that now aligns with Russia’s updated narrative of missile fragmentation.