Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev stated Sunday that the Azerbaijani airliner that crashed recently was shot down by Russia, albeit inadvertently, and slammed Moscow for attempting to “hush up” the problem for days.
“We can state with total clearness that the airplane was shot down by Russia. (…) We are not stating that it was done deliberately, however it was done,” he informed Azerbaijani state tv.
Aliyev stated that the airliner, which crashed Wednesday in Kazakhstan, was struck by fire from the ground over Russia and “rendered unmanageable by electronic warfare.” Aliyev implicated Russia of attempting to “hush up” the problem for numerous days, stating he was “upset and shocked” by variations of occasions advanced by Russian authorities.
“Unfortunately, for the very first 3 days we heard absolutely nothing from Russia other than delirious variations,” he stated.
The crash eliminated 38 of 67 individuals on board. The Kremlin stated that air defense systems were shooting near Grozny, the local capital of the Russian republic of Chechnya, where the airplane tried to land, to deflect a Ukrainian drone strike.
Aliyev stated Azerbaijan made 3 needs to Russia in connection with the crash.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) invites President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev throughout the start of the BRICS 2024 Summit in Kazan, Russia, on October 23.
Anadolu by means of Getty Images
“First, the Russian side needs to ask forgiveness to Azerbaijan. Second, it should confess its regret. Third, penalize the guilty, bring them to criminal duty and pay settlement to the Azerbaijani state, the hurt guests and team members,” he stated.
Aliyev kept in mind that the very first need was “currently satisfied” when Russian President Vladimir Putin said sorry to him on Saturday. Putin called the crash a “terrible event” though stopped short of acknowledging Moscow’s obligation.
He stated that an examination into the crash was continuous, which “the last variation (of occasions) will be understood after the black boxes are opened.”
He kept in mind that Azerbaijan was constantly “in favor of a group of global professionals” examining the crash, and had “unconditionally declined” Russia’s tip that the Interstate Aviation Committee, which manages civil air travel in the Commonwealth of Independent States, examine it.
“It is obvious that this company consists mainly of Russian authorities and is headed by Russian people. The elements of neutrality might not be totally made sure here,” Aliyev stated.
Proof being gathered at the crash website of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) traveler aircraft near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 27, 2024.
Anadolu by means of Getty Images
Kremlin representative Dmitry Peskov informed Russian state media on Sunday that Putin had actually spoken with Aliyev over the phone once again, however did not offer information of the discussion.
The Kremlin likewise stated a joint examination by Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan was underway at the crash website near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan. The airplane was flying from Azerbaijan’s capital,
