Azerbaijan's Accusation Against Russia

In a stunning revelation, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has publicly accused Russia of shooting down an airliner on Christmas Day, a tragic incident that resulted in the deaths of 38 individuals. Aliyev made these assertions during a televised interview, asserting that “this is a fact” and emphasizing that “no one can deny this fact.” While he refrained from labeling the incident as intentional, he strongly suggested that Russian actions led to the disaster.

Details of the Crash

The ill-fated Azerbaijan Airlines flight was en route to Grozny in Chechnya when it made an emergency landing near Aktau, Kazakhstan. Initial reports from Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency claimed the aircraft crashed due to a collision with birds; however, they later shifted their narrative, stating that Ukrainian combat drones and adverse weather conditions forced the plane out of Russian airspace.

Evidence of Damage

Compounding the mystery, the plane showed signs of damage resembling shrapnel or debris, fueling widespread speculation that it may have been shot down by Russian air defenses. A U.S. official echoed this sentiment to CNN, suggesting evidence points towards a Russian system being responsible for striking the aircraft. Aliyev stated, “The fact that the fuselage is riddled with holes indicates that the theory of the plane hitting a flock of birds... is completely removed from the agenda.”

Explosive Claims from Aliyev

Detailing the events leading to the crash, Aliyev explained that the aircraft was likely damaged while flying above Russian territory. He claimed that "means of electronic warfare" were used to destabilize the plane, resulting in severe damage to its tail. Also noteworthy was Aliyev's comment on a report from a Russian dispatcher just before the crash, which suggested an explosion in the plane’s cabin, hinting at possible attempts to divert attention from the core issue.

Tensions Between Azerbaijan and Russia

In a recent phone conversation, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences but stopped short of assuming responsibility for the incident, which has further escalated tensions between the two nations. Aliyev criticized Russia's lack of transparency and indicated that they had not cooperated in a fair manner in the aftermath of the crash.

Rejection of Investigation Offer

In an interesting development, Azerbaijan firmly rejected Russia’s offer to have the Interstate Aviation Committee investigate the incident, citing its predominantly Russian oversight as a conflict of interest. Aliyev maintained that “if we had seen fair and reasonable steps by Russia... we probably would not have objected.”

Call for Accountability

While acknowledging the accidental nature of the incident, Aliyev insisted that Russia must take responsibility, offer a formal apology, and provide complete transparency regarding the situation. “Unfortunately, for the first three days, we heard nothing from Russia except for some absurd theories,” he lamented.

International Involvement

The aircraft involved was a Brazilian-made Embraer 190. As part of efforts to ensure a transparent inquiry, authorities in Kazakhstan announced plans to send the flight recorders to Brazil, where international experts, alongside Azerbaijani officials, would conduct a comprehensive analysis. Notable among the experts is Thormodur Thormodsson, head of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s accident investigation section, who is already en route to Aktau to oversee the investigation.

Conclusion

The world watches closely as this high-stakes investigation unfolds, raising questions not just about the airliner crash, but also about the potential implications for Azerbaijan-Russia relations moving forward. Will the truth come to light, or will this incident shroud both nations in further controversy? Stay tuned for updates.