Azerbaijan remembers victims of AZAL plane crash near Aktau

One year ago, on December 25, 2024, an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane crash-landed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, while operating a flight from Baku to Grozny.

A year ago, on December 25, 2024, an Embraer 190 passenger jet of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), operating flight J2 8243 on the Baku-Grozny route, made an emergency landing and disintegrated 3 km from the Kazakh city of Aktau.

As later established by a state commission established on the orders of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and chaired by Prime Minister Ali Asadov, the aircraft was damaged while approaching Grozny airport. The captain changed course and headed for Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan. There were 67 people on board, 29 of whom survived thanks to the crew's heroic actions during the emergency landing. The crash claimed 38 lives - citizens of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan.

Russian President Vladimir Putin immediately held an emergency phone call with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, expressing condolences to his Azerbaijani counterpart over the crash. December 26 was declared a day of mourning in Azerbaijan.

Investigation into the crash

Following the incident, the General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan initiated a criminal case and, together with the relevant authorities of Kazakhstan, launched an investigation. Two days later, it became known that the plane had repeatedly attempted to land in Grozny while the Chechen capital, along with the cities of Mozdok and Vladikavkaz, were under attack by drones. Russian air defense systems were repelling the attacks, and the civilian airliner entered their engagement zone.

Putin called Aliyev once again and reiterated his apologies that the incident occurred in Russian airspace and once more expressed condolences to the families of the victims. In the conversation with the Russian President, the Azerbaijani leader confirmed that the plane had been subjected to an external impact. President Aliyev emphasized that the fact of external impact was confirmed by multiple holes in the fuselage, injuries to passengers and crew, and the accounts of survivors.

On the instruction of the Russian President, the Russian Investigative Committee opened a criminal case under Article 263 of the Criminal Code ("violation of traffic safety rules and operation of air transport"). Initial investigative actions began, with personnel from the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's Office joining the work in Chechnya, where they conducted a joint inspection with the Russian Prosecutor General's Office and the Investigative Committee. Subsequently, relevant services from Kazakhstan, working at the crash site, also joined the investigation.

In the first days after the crash, there was much contradictory information about what happened - debates arose over why the already damaged plane, which was not accepted in Grozny due to a "Carpet" emergency regime enacted during the Ukrainian drone attack, was sent to Aktau, Kazakhstan, across the entire Caspian Sea. Many harsh words and negative predictions were voiced. However, mutual understanding was reached and a unified position was developed. This was made possible thanks to people sincerely advocating for friendship with Azerbaijan and understanding its importance for Russia.

Putin's Statement in Dushanbe

A meeting between the two countries' leaders in Dushanbe on October 9 put an end to the disagreements. The Russian president began the meeting by addressing the most sensitive topic- the aviation tragedy that occurred in the skies of Kazakhstan.

"The investigation is nearing completion and, at this point, we can discuss the causes of this tragedy, this catastrophe. It was caused by several factors. The first is that a Ukrainian drone was mid-air at the time of the tragedy... The second factor involves technical malfunctions in Russia’s air defence system. Two missiles that were launched did not hit the aircraft directly. Had that happened, the plane would have crashed immediately. They exploded, possibly through the self-destruction mechanism, a few metres, maybe ten metres, away from it. As a result, the damage was caused mainly not by the warheads, but most likely by missile fragments," Vladimir Putin said.

The pilot perceived this as a bird strike, which he reported to Russian air traffic controllers. He was advised to land in Makhachkala, but he decided to return to his home base airport and then to Kazakhstan, the Russian president explained, noting that the Russian side will do everything to provide compensation and give legal assessment to all responsible officials.

"Of course, these words related to this tragedy, aimed at supporting – morally supporting – the families do not solve the main problem: we can’t bring back to life those who died as a result of the tragedy. But it is our duty... to give an objective assessment of everything that happened and to identify the true causes," Vladimir Putin said.

Remembering victims

The crew members Igor Kshnyakin, Alexander Kalyaninov, and Hokuma Aliyeva were buried in Baku at the Second Alley of Honor. Their busts were installed there, and a memorial plaque was placed next to the heroes' graves. In Aktau, near the crash site, a monument to the victims and a memorial to the crew members was also unveiled.

The deceased have been buried, the wounded are being treated. The authorities and people of Kazakhstan played a huge role in rescuing those who survived the plane crash in Aktau. A comprehensive investigation into the crash continues in Kazakhstan, and the final report will be published soon after its completion. The Russian side is also providing all necessary assistance to the investigation. A preliminary report on the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash was published on February 4.

Work is underway and dialogue is maintained at all levels. An investigation will reveal the true causes of the tragedy.

President of Azerbaijan today shared a publication on his social media accounts marking the first anniversary of the plane crash.

On the eve of the anniversary, a memorial plaque dedicated to the victims of the Azerbaijani plane crash was unveiled in Grozny - the monument was opened at the Heydar Aliyev Square ahead of the tragedy's anniversary.