Putin blames AZAL tragedy on drones, defence glitch, and ‘coincidence’

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met today to discuss the December 2024 aviation tragedy involving an Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft, as well as to reaffirm the strength of their bilateral relationship.

During high-level talks, held in the aftermath of their brief encounter in Beijing and multiple phone exchanges, President Putin provided a detailed account of the incident, which resulted in the loss of life and had strained tensions between the two allied nations.

Investigative Findings and Admission of Fault

President Putin described the crash as a “tragedy” caused by a combination of factors, including the presence of Ukrainian drones in Russian airspace and a malfunction in Russia’s air defence system.

“Two missiles were launched, but they did not hit the aircraft directly,” Putin said, citing black box data and technical analysis. “They exploded nearby, likely due to self-destruction mechanisms, and the resulting fragments caused the aircraft’s damage.”

Putin explained that the pilot initially misidentified the incident as a bird strike, an assessment supported by cockpit recordings. He also noted that the pilot was advised to land in Makhachkala but chose to attempt a return to Kazakhstan.

The Russian president reiterated his condolences and confirmed that Moscow is cooperating fully with Azerbaijani authorities, offering compensation and promising legal accountability for those responsible.

“Everything that must be done in such tragic cases will be done by the Russian side,” he affirmed.

Aliyev Acknowledges Transparency and Oversight

President Aliyev thanked Putin for personally overseeing the investigation and for the Russian side’s transparency.

“We have always known that you personally oversee the progress of the investigation,” said Aliyev. “We have had no doubt that it would be handled objectively and thoroughly.”

Aliyev recalled the immediate aftermath of the crash, including his direct communication with Putin while en route to a CIS meeting in St. Petersburg, which he missed due to the incident.

Both leaders emphasised that while the tragedy was a serious matter, it had not derailed bilateral cooperation.

Strong Bilateral Ties Continue

Despite the incident, both presidents highlighted positive momentum in Russia-Azerbaijan relations. Trade turnover has grown significantly - by approximately 6% last year and over 16% in the current year, according to Putin.

Aliyev also pointed to the successful implementation of bilateral "roadmaps" and the recent Russian–Azerbaijani intergovernmental commission meeting, which covered a broad spectrum of cooperation, including trade, humanitarian, and foreign policy matters.

Putin referenced the treaty signed between the two countries, underscoring Moscow’s commitment to fulfilling its provisions. He noted the continued collaboration between the countries’ foreign ministries and expressed optimism for maintaining and expanding this partnership.

Regional and Strategic Implications

The leaders’ meeting reflects efforts by both Moscow and Baku to maintain a united front amid a dynamic geopolitical environment, including ongoing tensions in the post-Soviet space and instability in the South Caucasus.

While the full findings of the crash investigation have yet to be released publicly, both sides signalled that transparency and cooperation remain priorities. Their remarks also seek to reassure the public in both countries that the tragedy, while painful, would not hinder the broader strategic alliance.

The Azerbaijan Airlines crash occurred in Russian airspace in December 2024 in which 38 people died including both pilots and a flight attendant. 29 people survived with injuries.

Initial confusion surrounded the cause, but recent findings suggest the incident was a result of a misfire involving Russian air defences, triggered during an airspace violation by Ukrainian drones.

The case remains under legal review by Russian authorities.

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