Russia must accept responsibility for the Azerbaijan Airlines crash near Aktau that killed 38 people, Azerbaijani MP Tural Ganjali has said. His comments come as Azerbaijan marks the first anniversary of the disaster, which occurred on 25 December 2024.
The Embraer 190 aircraft, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, was flying from Baku to Grozny when it crashed.
“One year after the Azerbaijani Airlines passenger plane crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, the incident is obviously an unpunished crash for which Russia is directly responsible,” Ganjali told AnewZ in Baku.
Preliminary findings cited by Azerbaijani officials say the aircraft sustained critical damage after being struck by fragments from a Russian air defence system while approaching Grozny.
Ganjali said Russia’s initial response was marked by delays, alleging that requests from the flight crew to land at airports inside Russia were refused after the aircraft was damaged, forcing the pilots to divert to Kazakhstan.
He added that Moscow only acknowledged the involvement of its air defence systems months later, despite repeated assertions by Azerbaijani authorities.
“Russia’s response demonstrated hostile intent towards Azerbaijan,” Ganjali said, accusing Russian authorities of attempting to deflect responsibility by directing the damaged aircraft away from Russian territory.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport has said interim findings show the aircraft suffered external damage consistent with warhead fragments, while stressing that the investigation is focused on aviation safety rather than assigning legal liability. The final report is expected in early 2026.
Ganjali said the lack of a clear admission had hindered accountability and delayed justice for the victims’ families.
“We have not seen any meaningful response from the Russian authorities, only references to investigation results that are not accepted by Azerbaijan,” he said.
Ganjali linked the crash to what he described as broader problems in Russia’s relations with Azerbaijan, saying Moscow’s handling of the incident had damaged bilateral trust.
His comments echo remarks by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who has said Azerbaijan is considering international legal action and has “clear information” about the circumstances of the crash.
Ganjali said Russia needed to address what he described as policy failures in order to rebuild confidence and regional security cooperation.
The renewed calls for accountability came as Azerbaijan marked the anniversary of the disaster with memorial events for the victims.
Memorial events were held on 25 December in Baku and Aktau to honour those killed in the crash.
In Baku, a moment of silence was observed at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, while residents and diplomats laid flowers at the crash site in Aktau.
As families continue to seek answers, the final investigation report and Russia’s response remain central to political and public debate in Azerbaijan and the wider region.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 17th of January, covering the latest developments you need to ...
More than 3,000 people have been killed in Iran’s nationwide protests, according to rights activists, as monitors reported a slight return of intern...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that allied supplies of air defence systems and missiles were insufficient as Russia prepares n...
Mongolia has introduced a new decree to strengthen traditional Mongolian medicine and expand its international profile....
Poland plans to expand its armed forces to 500,000 by 2039, including 300,000 active-duty troops and 200,000 reservists, officials said Friday. The en...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that allied supplies of air defence systems and missiles were insufficient as Russia prepares new large-scale attacks.
Poland plans to expand its armed forces to 500,000 by 2039, including 300,000 active-duty troops and 200,000 reservists, officials said Friday. The enlarged force would feature a new high-readiness reserve unit.
Kyiv is facing its most severe wartime energy crisis, with the capital receiving only about half the electricity it needs, Mayor Vitali Klitschko told Reuters on Friday.
White House announced on Friday the formation of a technocratic committee to oversee the transition of power in the Gaza Strip as part of President Donald Trump's 20-point plan to end the conflict in the territory.
At least four people were injured after a large fire and explosions hit a residential building in the Dutch city of Utrecht, authorities said.
A railway power outage in Tokyo disrupted the morning commute for roughly 673,000 passengers on Friday (16 January) as two main lines with some of the world's busiest stations were halted after reports of a fire.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that the international situation is worsening and that the world is becoming more dangerous, while avoiding public comment on events in Venezuela and Iran.
A SpaceX capsule carrying a four-member crew home from orbit in an emergency return to earth necessitated by an undisclosed serious medical condition afflicting one of the astronauts splashed down safely early on Thursday (15 January) in the Pacific Ocean off California.
President Donald Trump announced Thursday evening that the long-awaited “Board of Peace” to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction has officially been formed.
The Regional Environmental Summit 2026 will be held in Astana from 22-24 April, bringing together Central Asian countries to strengthen regional dialogue on climate and environmental challenges.
Kazakhstan has begun recalibrating its oil export logistics amid ongoing restrictions affecting the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), a vital conduit for the country’s crude supplies to global markets.
Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah, has called for support for protesters seeking to overthrow Iran’s government. Speaking at a press conference in Washington on 16 January, Pahlavi outlined plans to return to Iran and called for action against the country’s Revolutionary Guards.
The Turkish Defence Ministry has voiced its support for recent military operations by Syrian government forces against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which enjoy the support of the United States.
Uzbekistan plans to establish production facilities in Qatar as part of a strategy to expand exports and strengthen its presence in Gulf markets.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment