Mon Dec 30 16:29:25 UTC 2024: ## Azerbaijan Demands Accountability After Russian Air Defense Allegedly Downs Airliner
**Baku, Azerbaijan –** Azerbaijan is demanding that Russia take full responsibility for the downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane, which crashed in Kazakhstan on December 25, killing 38 people. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev issued a strong condemnation of Moscow, a close ally, accusing Russia of attempting to cover up the incident.
While Russia has opened a criminal investigation and stated that its air defense systems were active during a reported Ukrainian drone attack near Grozny airport, it has not confirmed that its missiles hit the plane. President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to Mr. Aliyev but offered no admission of guilt.
Azerbaijani officials claim the plane was struck by a Russian air defense missile, citing survivor accounts of explosions and the plane’s subsequent emergency diversion. The head of Russia’s Investigative Committee reportedly told Baku that efforts are underway to identify and prosecute those responsible. However, Russia has yet to publicly acknowledge culpability or name any suspects.
The black boxes from the Embraer 190 jet have been sent to Brazil for analysis. Azerbaijan observed a national day of mourning for the victims, with speculation swirling about the true cause of the crash. Aviation experts suggest that Russia’s air defense fire was the likely cause.
First Piper 