Azerbaijan Demands Russia Admit Downing Passenger Jet

Azerbaijan's president has called on Moscow to admit guilt, punish those responsible, and pay compensation after a fatal plane crash in Kazakhstan, Euronews reported.

An initial investigation revealed a Russian surface-to-air missile was fired at the plane on Wednesday as it flew over Chechnya. I Photo: Dilaver Najafov Wikimedia Commons

President Ilham Aliyev stated that a passenger plane, which crashed and killed 38 people last week, had been damaged by gunfire from the ground while flying in Russian airspace.

Speaking on state television, Aliyev demanded Moscow's "acknowledgment of guilt, punishment of the guilty, and payment of compensation."

Azerbaijani government sources confirmed to Euronews that an initial investigation revealed a Russian surface-to-air missile was fired at the plane on Wednesday as it flew over Chechnya.

"We have clearly conveyed our demands to the Russian side. These were handed over on December 27. They include an apology to Azerbaijan, recognition of guilt, punishment of those responsible through criminal proceedings, and compensation to both the state and the injured passengers and crew members," the sources said.