Vladimir Putin admits that Russia accidentally shot down an Azerbaijani passenger plane on Christmas Day, killing 38 people. He promises punishment for those responsible
Putin Admits Russia Shot Down Passenger Plane That Left 38 Dead
Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed that Russia’s military accidentally shot down a commercial Azerbaijani flight on Christmas Day 2024, killing 38 passengers and injuring dozens more.
The tragic event shocked the world as what was meant to be a day of celebration turned into one of horror. The plane, which took off from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, was en route to Grozny, Russia, when it was struck.
\According to reports, the plane attempted an emergency landing but crashed in Kazakhstan, where 29 people survived out of the 67 passengers on board.
Officials stated that among those on the flight were 42 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russians, six Kazakhs, and three Kyrgyz nationals.
Initial Reports Blamed Weather – But the Truth Was Different
At first, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said the aircraft may have crashed due to bad weather after it diverted toward Aktau Airport for an emergency landing.
However, shortly after, reports began to circulate that the plane was actually shot down by a Russian air defense system.
This week, Putin officially acknowledged those reports, saying that the missiles were not intended to hit the passenger plane.
Putin Says Missiles Targeted a Ukrainian Drone
Speaking to reporters, Putin explained that the missiles were meant to target a Ukrainian drone flying nearby but accidentally detonated near the plane.
“The two missiles did not hit the plane directly,” Putin said. “They exploded about 10 meters away. The damage was caused mainly by debris from the missiles.”
He added that the pilot initially thought the aircraft had collided with a flock of birds, based on flight recordings retrieved from the black box.
Russia Promises Accountability and Compensation
While meeting with Azerbaijan’s president in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Putin vowed to punish those responsible and compensate the victims’ families.
“It is our duty to give an objective assessment of everything that happened and identify the true causes,” he said.
Putin noted that the investigation is ongoing and that it may take more time to understand exactly how the incident unfolded.
A Tragic Reminder of the Human Cost of Conflict
The tragedy has reignited international concern over air safety during military operations, especially in regions affected by ongoing tensions.
As Russia faces pressure from the global community, families of the victims continue to demand justice and transparency.
For many, Putin’s admission marks a long-awaited step toward the truth — but also a painful reminder of how one mistake can change dozens of lives forever.
SEO Summary (for Snippets):
Vladimir Putin confirms that Russia accidentally shot down an Azerbaijani passenger plane on Christmas Day 2024, killing 38 people. He promises punishment for those responsible and aid for the victims’ families.