Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev accused Russia of executing an “absurd” cover-up after its air defenses allegedly “shot down” a passenger aircraft final week.
Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized for the “tragic incident” this weekend, however the Kremlin has not formally acknowledged that Russian air defenses shot down the aircraft. At the very least 38 folks had been killed within the incident.
“Our aircraft was shot down by chance,” Aliyev informed state tv on Sunday. “Sadly, within the first three days we heard solely absurd variations from Russia.”
“We witnessed clear makes an attempt to cowl up the matter,” he added.
AZERBAIJAN AIRLINES BLAMES DEADLY PLANE CRASH ON ‘EXTERNAL INTERFERENCE’ AS RUSSIA SPECULATION GROWS
Proof assortment efforts are underway on the crash web site of an Azerbaijan Airways (AZAL) passenger aircraft close to Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Dec. 27, 2024. (Meiramgul Kussainova/Anadolu by way of Getty Photographs)
A Kremlin assertion stated the incident occurred after Russian air defenses engaged with Ukrainian assault drones, however didn’t outright state that Russian forces had shot down the aircraft.
IT’S ‘VERY UNCLEAR’ WHAT HAPPENED IN AZERBAIJAN AIRLINES CRASH, EX-STATE DEPT OFFICIAL SAYS
Aliyev is a detailed ally with Putin’s regime, and the pair held a cellphone name relating to the incident on Sunday. Neither occasion has launched particulars of their dialog.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev leaves a polling station in Khankendi, Azerbaijan. (Azerbaijani Presidential Press Workplace by way of AP)
Crew members and survivors of the Azerbaijan Airways Embraer 190-passenger jet say they heard at the least one loud bang earlier than the plane crashed on Christmas day.
AZERBAIJAN AIRLINES BLAMES DEADLY PLANE CRASH ON ‘EXTERNAL INTERFERENCE’ AS RUSSIA SPECULATION GROWS
Subhonkul Rakhimov, one of many passengers aboard Flight J2-8243, informed Reuters from the hospital that he had begun to recite prayers and put together for the tip after listening to a bang.
The aircraft was en route from the Azerbaijani capital of Baku to the Russian metropolis of Grozny within the North Caucasus, the Related Press studies. (The Administration of Mangystau Area)
“After the bang… I assumed the aircraft was going to collapse,” Rakhimov informed the outlet. “It was apparent that the aircraft had been broken ultimately. It was as if it was drunk – not the identical aircraft anymore.”
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Surviving passenger Vafa Shabanova stated that there have been “two explosions within the sky, and an hour and a half later the aircraft crashed to the bottom.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
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