Watch Aliyev’s reaction after Putin drops Ukraine drone bombshell over Azerbaijan airlines crash

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and publicly acknowledged for the first time that Russian air defenses were responsible for downing an Azerbaijani passenger jet in December 2024. Putin explained that Russian missiles, launched to intercept Ukrainian drones, detonated near the Azerbaijan Airlines flight, killing 38 people. He assured Aliyev that Russia would provide compensation, conduct a full legal assessment, and maintain transparency in the investigation. Despite the tragedy, both leaders emphasized the continued growth of trade, economic, and humanitarian ties, with Aliyev expressing appreciation for Russia's investigation and the positive outlook for bilateral relations.