UK Dismisses Putin’s Apology for Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Disaster, Calls for Independent Probe

LONDON — The United Kingdom has outright rejected an apology from Russian President Vladimir Putin following the tragic crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane, which claimed 38 lives. The incident occurred when the aircraft, en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny in Russia’s Chechnya region, diverted and crashed in Kazakhstan during a landing attempt on Wednesday.

The Kremlin issued a statement acknowledging that Russian air defenses were active due to a Ukrainian drone attack near Grozny, but did not confirm that these systems were responsible for the downing of the plane. Putin expressed regret to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for the “tragic incident” in Russian airspace, yet stopped short of admitting culpability.

The UK’s Foreign Office has demanded a “full and independent” investigation, criticizing Putin’s apology for not acknowledging the “reckless and irresponsible actions of the Russian State” which they argue pose significant threats to international security. “Our thoughts are with all those affected by this incident, including the family and friends of those who have died,” a Foreign Office spokesperson stated.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also called for Russia to provide transparent explanations and cease disseminating misinformation, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive investigation. In a post on X, Zelenskyy pointed out that visual evidence of the plane’s damage suggests it might have been struck by an air defense missile.

US officials have hinted at possible Russian involvement, with intelligence suggesting that the plane might have been mistakenly identified as a drone by Russian defenses. This narrative is supported by statements from survivors who reported hearing loud noises during the flight over Grozny.

In response to the incident, Azerbaijan Airlines cited “physical and technical interference” as a cause for the crash and has since suspended flights to several Russian airports.

The international community continues to watch closely as both Russia and Azerbaijan, along with other affected nations, navigate the aftermath of this disaster, seeking clarity and accountability.