Putin admits Russia downed Azerbaijan Airlines Brazilian-built jet
Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged on October 10, 2025, that Russia’s air defenses were responsible for the downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) Embraer 190 jet on December 25, 2024, resulting in 38 fatalities. The aircraft, which was en route from Baku to Grozny, was struck by debris from missiles fired by Russian air defenses targeting a Ukrainian drone, reports 24brussels.
The aircraft crashed in Kazakhstan following the incident, prompting significant scrutiny and diplomatic fallout. During a bilateral meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at a summit in Tajikistan, Putin confirmed these details and addressed the ongoing investigation into the incident.
Thanking Putin for his personal involvement in the inquiry, Aliyev appreciated the “extensive information” shared, expressing optimism about a thorough and impartial investigation. This engagement signals a potential thaw in the historically strained relations between Azerbaijan and Russia post-crash, with Aliyev describing Russia as a friendly nation.
In his remarks, Aliyev emphasized the importance of a transparent investigation, stating, “You are personally keeping the investigation process under control, and we have no doubt that it will establish all the facts in an unbiased manner.” Putin assured that those accountable for the crash would face consequences and reiterated that Russia would fulfill its commitments regarding compensation for the families of the victims. He pledged that a legal evaluation of the actions of all involved parties would be conducted.
The incident, which took the lives of 38 out of the 67 individuals on board, led to a deterioration in relations, with Aliyev earlier suggesting that legal action against Russia was being planned.
