Putin Admits Russian Missile Downed Azerbaijani Plane

International News: In a stunning admission, Russian President Vladimir Putin has finally confirmed that Russian air defence forces were responsible for downing an Azerbaijani passenger plane. He made the statement during a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Tajikistan’s capital Dushanbe, where both leaders attended a summit of former Soviet nations. This was the first time Moscow officially accepted full responsibility for the tragedy that shook the region.

The December 2024 disaster

The accident took place on December 25, 2024. Azerbaijan Airlines was operating a passenger jet from Baku to Grozny, the capital of Chechnya. Midway through the journey, the aircraft was accidentally targeted by Russian missiles. In a desperate attempt to save lives, the pilots diverted the flight toward Kazakhstan. However, the plane failed to land safely and crashed, killing 38 of the 67 people on board while 29 survived with serious injuries.

Kremlin’s earlier half-truth

Before Putin’s latest confession, the Kremlin had avoided clear responsibility. Their earlier statement said Russian air defence fired near Grozny airport because of an incoming Ukrainian drone threat. Officials only admitted that the airliner made repeated landing attempts near the airport but stopped short of confirming that Russian fire hit it. Putin had previously called the crash a “tragic incident” and apologized, but without admitting Moscow’s role in the destruction.

Aliyev’s strong remarks

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev had earlier expressed his displeasure. He told Putin that the aircraft faced “external interference” in mid-air. Aliyev’s press office even reported that the jet had multiple holes in its fuselage and that passengers suffered wounds from “foreign particles penetrating the cabin.” Although he avoided directly accusing Moscow at the time, Azerbaijan made it clear they believed Russian fire caused the deaths.

A deadly chain of events

The confusion began when Russian defences misidentified the Azerbaijani jet as a threat while targeting drones near Grozny. The passenger jet, carrying families returning home for holidays, became an unintended victim of escalating tensions in the region. After being struck, the pilots had no choice but to attempt an emergency landing in western Kazakhstan, hundreds of kilometers off course, but the attempt ended in flames.

Putin’s apology revisited

Following global outrage, Putin had already issued an apology to Aliyev, saying he regretted the “tragic incident in Russian airspace.” But at that time, Moscow avoided direct blame. Now, by publicly admitting responsibility, Putin has closed months of speculation and growing mistrust. The acknowledgment is seen as a step toward repairing ties with Azerbaijan, though many families of the victims still demand justice.

Impact on regional trust

This admission will likely influence Russia’s standing in the region. Analysts say it could weaken Moscow’s credibility among its allies in the Caucasus. For Azerbaijan, the tragedy is both a painful loss and a reminder of its vulnerable position between powerful neighbors. The world now watches to see if Russia’s confession leads to compensation, accountability, and improved safety to prevent such disasters in the future.