The Deadly Detonation: How a Russian Missile Response Led to Air Tragedy

The deadly detonation of Ukrainian drones, targeted by Russian missiles, led to the tragic crash of an Azerbaijani passenger plane in 2024, President Vladimir Putin revealed on Thursday. This admission marks the first time Russia has officially explained its role in the disaster that killed 38 people.
Speaking with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Dushanbe, Putin labeled the event a “tragedy.” He explained that the drones exploded “meters away” from the Azerbaijan Airlines flight, causing the catastrophic failure of the aircraft. This sequence of events, as described by Putin, was the result of a necessary air defense action.
The incident occurred on Christmas Day, 2024, as the jet flew from Baku towards Grozny. After being critically damaged by the nearby explosion, the plane crashed in western Kazakhstan during an attempted emergency landing. Out of 67 people on board, 38 perished.
The explanation, however, has not quelled the anger in Azerbaijan. President Aliyev publicly accused Moscow of a ten-month effort to “hush up” the affair, a serious charge that has further damaged already fragile relations. The fallout from the crash has been a defining feature of their recent bilateral history.
In an apparent effort to make amends, Putin committed to compensating the victims of the crash. He also gave his word that a legal review would be undertaken to investigate the actions of the Russian officials who commanded the air defense operation that day.