Azerbaijan Demands Accountability After Plane Crash Linked to Russian Defense Fire

The crash, which killed 38, has intensified tensions between Moscow and Baku as investigations continue across multiple countries.

An Azerbaijan Airlines flight crashed in Kazakhstan on December 25, killing 38 people, with Azerbaijan alleging it was struck by Russian anti-aircraft fire.
Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted to anti-aircraft activity on the day of the crash due to a Ukrainian drone attack but denied responsibility for the plane being hit.
Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has demanded public apologies and compensation from Russia, accusing Moscow of attempting to obscure its involvement.
Investigations are underway in Kazakhstan, with black box data sent to Brazil for analysis, and experts from Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Brazil participating.
The incident has further strained Russia-Azerbaijan relations, already tense over issues like the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and energy geopolitics.