Putin apologises to Azerbaijan’s Aliyev over ‘tragic incident’ with plane in Russian airspace

Putin apologises to Azerbaijan’s Aliyev over ‘tragic incident’ with plane in Russian airspace

In a rare diplomatic move, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended a formal apology to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev over a “tragic incident” involving an Azerbaijani aircraft in Russian airspace. The incident, which has raised eyebrows across the international community, occurred earlier this week, resulting in heightened tensions between the two neighboring nations.

The Incident

According to preliminary reports, an Azerbaijani military plane was mistakenly shot down by Russian forces while flying near the volatile borders of the North Caucasus region. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the incident, stating that the aircraft was misidentified as a potential threat due to a "failure in communication protocols."

The plane’s downing reportedly caused the loss of lives, though exact details remain unclear. The Azerbaijani government has refrained from releasing the identities of those onboard, citing the need for further investigation

This incident comes amid ongoing geopolitical complexities in the region, where both nations maintain strategic but often tense relations.

Putin’s Apology

In a phone conversation with Aliyev, Putin expressed his “deep regret” over the incident and described it as an “unfortunate mistake.” A Kremlin spokesperson stated that Putin offered assurances of a thorough investigation and pledged to take measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.

“The President of Russia expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and to the people of Azerbaijan,” the spokesperson added.

Azerbaijan’s Presidential Office confirmed the apology, stating that Aliyev appreciated Putin’s acknowledgment of responsibility. However, Azerbaijani officials have called for a joint investigation to ensure transparency.

Diplomatic Fallou

The incident has cast a shadow over relations between Russia and Azerbaijan, two countries with intertwined economic and security interests. Azerbaijan, a major oil and gas exporter, has increasingly positioned itself as a key player in Eurasian geopolitics, often navigating a delicate balance between Russia, Turkey, and the West.

Experts believe that while Putin’s apology may help defuse immediate tensions, the incident could have long-term implications for trust and cooperation between the two nations.

“This apology is significant, as it shows Moscow’s intent to manage the fallout diplomatically,” said Dr. Sergey Ivanov, a political analyst specializing in Russian foreign policy. “However, Azerbaijan will likely push for concrete assurances that such mistakes won’t happen again.”

Reaction from Azerbaijan

In Azerbaijan, the incident has sparked outrage among citizens and political figures. Many have taken to social media to demand accountability from Russia, with hashtags calling for justice trending across platforms.

The Azerbaijani Parliament held an emergency session to discuss the matter, with several members urging the government to reconsider aspects of its military and economic ties with Russia.

“We cannot allow the lives of our citizens and servicemen to be endangered due to negligence,” said an MP during the session. “This is