Mon Dec 30 01:25:46 UTC 2024: ## Azerbaijan Accuses Russia of Downing Airliner; Demands Apology and Compensation
**Baku, Azerbaijan** – Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has accused Russia of unintentionally shooting down an Azerbaijani airliner that crashed in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, killing 38 of the 67 people on board. Aliyev stated that the plane was hit by ground fire over Russian territory and rendered uncontrollable by electronic warfare. He criticized the Kremlin for initially offering what he called “delirious versions” of events and attempting to cover up its role in the tragedy.
While Russian President Vladimir Putin has apologized to President Aliyev, Azerbaijan is demanding further accountability. The Azerbaijani government has issued three demands: a formal apology (which has been received), an admission of guilt, and the punishment and prosecution of those responsible, along with compensation for the victims and their families.
The Kremlin maintains that air defense systems near Grozny, Chechnya, were engaged in deflecting a Ukrainian drone strike when the incident occurred. A joint investigation involving Russia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan is underway. Survivor accounts from the crash corroborate the Azerbaijani president’s claim, stating they heard loud noises before the plane’s descent.
This incident bears chilling similarities to the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014, which was also linked to the conflict in Ukraine. That event, which resulted in the deaths of all 298 passengers and crew, led to a Dutch court convicting several individuals for their roles in the tragedy. The current situation raises serious questions about the safety of civilian aircraft operating near conflict zones. The investigation, including the analysis of the plane’s black boxes, is ongoing.
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