President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan has unequivocally placed responsibility for a recent aircraft crash involving Azerbaijani citizens on the Russian Federation. Speaking at a meeting with the victims’ relatives, Aliyev called for accountability, transparency, and adherence to human rights in the investigation of the crash. The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of civilian aviation in Russian airspace and the impartiality of the subsequent investigation.
President Aliyev’s Statement
Aliyev emphasised that the tragedy could have been averted if Russia had taken appropriate measures. He criticised the lack of coordination between Russian military and civil aviation authorities, inadequate ground services, and failure to close airspace in regions of heightened risk, such as near Grozny. These lapses, Aliyev argued, created the conditions that led to the catastrophe.
“The tragedy would not have occurred if the rules had been followed,” Aliyev said, adding that Azerbaijan’s demands for justice include prosecuting those responsible and ensuring a thorough and objective investigation. Aliyev’s remarks underscore the increasing mistrust in Moscow’s willingness or ability to conduct an impartial inquiry.
Black Boxes Sent to Brazil
Azerbaijan has opted to send the flight’s black boxes to Brazil for analysis, bypassing Moscow-based investigative institutions, such as the Interstate Aviation Committee. Aliyev pointed out that this decision reflects Azerbaijan’s lack of confidence in Russia’s objectivity. The president revealed that Azerbaijan might have agreed to Russia’s involvement had there been clear indications of a transparent and impartial approach in the initial stages of the investigation. Instead, Aliyev cited attempts by Russian authorities to downplay the incident by attributing the crash to unlikely causes, such as a bird strike or an exploding gas cylinder.
Historical Parallels
Aliyev drew comparisons between this incident and previous cases, such as the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014. He alleged that Russian authorities sought to obscure the truth in both cases, using similar strategies to complicate international investigations. In the case of the Azerbaijani aircraft, he noted that the heroic actions of the pilots, who managed to land in Kazakhstan’s Aktau airport, exposed the conditions in Russian airspace that led to the crash.
The president also questioned why the crew chose Aktau over Russian airports. Aliyev suggested the decision might have been influenced by concerns over electronic warfare measures in Russian airspace or a lack of viable alternatives due to military activities in the region.
Russia’s Response and the Broader Implications
Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly apologised during a phone conversation with Aliyev but refrained from naming those responsible for the tragedy. Putin attributed the incident to heightened military activity in the North Caucasus, where Russian forces were reportedly countering Ukrainian drone attacks. However, Aliyev questioned why Russian airspace in the region remained open to civilian flights despite the evident risks.
The Azerbaijani president also criticised Russia’s failure to release a list of individuals who could be held accountable. This omission, he said, demonstrates a lack of seriousness in addressing Azerbaijan’s demands for justice and safety.
A Test of Azerbaijan’s Resolve
Aliyev’s strong stance reflects his broader approach to defending Azerbaijan’s national interests, a hallmark of his leadership since the Second Karabakh War. By framing the investigation as a matter of political integrity and national sovereignty, Aliyev is signalling his determination to hold Russia accountable.
The crash has also become a focal point in Azerbaijani public opinion. Many citizens view the incident as a test of their government’s ability to stand up to Moscow and protect Azerbaijani interests. Aliyev appears aware of these expectations and has pledged not to relent until the truth is uncovered and justice is served.
Looking Ahead
The investigation remains fraught with geopolitical implications. Azerbaijan’s decision to involve third-party investigators highlights its diminishing trust in Moscow. This move also suggests a shift towards greater international cooperation in aviation safety and accountability, potentially sidelining Russia’s traditional dominance in post-Soviet investigations.
While the black box analysis in Brazil is expected to shed light on the crash’s causes, the broader issue of civilian aviation safety in conflict-prone regions remains unresolved. Aliyev’s demands for justice may lead to heightened scrutiny of Russia’s handling of such incidents, raising the stakes for Moscow as it faces growing international and regional criticism.
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