The Azerbaijani government has communicated to the Russian authorities its demands regarding the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan. The demands include an apology from the Russian side for the incident, admission of guilt, punishment of those responsible, and compensation for both the state and injured passengers and crew.
President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan stated in an interview with AzTV that these demands were clearly communicated to the Russians on December 27. He expressed hope that the remaining demands would also be met.
Russian and Azerbaijani leaders have continued to discuss the matter via phone, with the two presidents, Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev, discussing various aspects of the incident. According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the two leaders discussed the crash of the AZAL plane during the phone call on December 28 initiated by Vladimir Putin.
During the telephone conversation, President Vladimir Putin expressed regret regarding the unfortunate incident involving an aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines on the Baku-Grozny route on 25 December, which experienced external physical and technical difficulties in Russian airspace.
The Russian leader extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wished for a speedy recovery for those injured. The Azerbaijani president noted that the plane was diverted to the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan and was able to land thanks to the bravery and professionalism of its pilots.
He highlighted that multiple holes in the fuselage, injuries to passengers and crew caused by foreign objects penetrating the cabin during flight, and statements from surviving flight attendants and passengers all confirm evidence of external interference.
The two leaders also talked over the phone on December 29, also from the initiative of the Russian side.
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