On October 9, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted Russia’s role in the December 25, 2024, Azerbaijan Airlines crash, which killed 38 of 67 passengers.
Speaking with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Putin called it a “tragedy.” The Embraer 190, diverted from Grozny, Russia, crash-landed in Kazakhstan after two Russian missiles, targeting Ukrainian drones, exploded “a few meters away.”
Putin clarified, “The missiles did not directly hit the aircraft, or it would have crashed instantly.” Russian air traffic controllers advised landing in Makhachkala, but the pilot aimed for Azerbaijan, then Kazakhstan, where the plane went down
President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that a Russian air defense system was responsible for the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet that killed 38 people in December (translation via AP) https://t.co/agQ3g6rLig pic.twitter.com/A1LzSpnrsP
— Bloomberg (@business) October 9, 2025“Russia will evaluate and compensate for officials’ actions,” Putin pledged. Aliyev, who had previously accused Russia of concealing the cause, thanked Putin for the “detailed information,” according to the Kremlin. Initial Russian claims of a bird strike had fueled mistrust.
The crash soured relations between Moscow and Baku, historically close allies. Azerbaijan, an oil-rich post-Soviet state, demanded transparency. The admission marks a step toward accountability but may not fully mend ties.
Read: Putin tells Ukraine: End War via Talks or I Will End it By Force
Putin’s acknowledgement of a tragic incident impacts regional diplomacy. Providing compensation and conducting investigations could help ease tensions, but the fallout challenges Russia’s credibility.
