The Burden of Proof: After 10 Months, Putin Admits Russian Culpability

After ten months of bearing the burden of proof, Azerbaijan has finally received an admission of culpability from Russia for the 2024 plane crash that killed 38. President Vladimir Putin personally acknowledged his country’s role in a meeting with President Ilham Aliyev.
The Russian leader, calling the event a “tragedy,” stated that the downing of the Azerbaijan Airlines jet was an unintentional consequence of a military operation. He said Russian missiles targeting Ukrainian drones caused the disaster when the drones exploded “meters away” from the plane.
The December 25, 2024, crash has been a persistent diplomatic wound. The flight from Baku to Grozny crashed in Kazakhstan after being hit by what was widely suspected to be Russian friendly fire, a suspicion now confirmed by Putin himself.
Despite the admission, President Aliyev voiced his frustration over the prolonged delay, accusing Moscow of a concerted effort to “hush up” the truth. The remark, made at a summit in Tajikistan, shows that trust has been completely eroded between the two governments.
Putin followed his admission with a promise of action. He committed to ensuring that the victims’ families receive adequate compensation and that the officials whose actions led to the crash will face a legal review.