Zelensky meets with Aliyev: Evidence of plane crash is clear, it is essential to pressure Russia

The head of the Ukrainian state announced this on social media platform X, Ukrinform reports.

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“During a meeting with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, I once again expressed my condolences regarding the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane and the loss of lives. The evidence from the crash site is clear, and it is essential to pressure Russia to compel it to tell the truth,” Zelensky stressed.

He noted that the meeting also focused on bilateral relations and their future development.

“We also discussed bilateral relations and their future development, including prospects for increasing trade between our countries and collaboration in the energy sector. We deeply value all the assistance Azerbaijan has provided to Ukraine,” said Zelensky.

As Ukrinform reported, on December 25, an Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan. The plane was en route from Baku to Grozny, but deviated from its course and crashed on the opposite side of the Caspian Sea, killing 38 of the 67 people on board.

The Azerbaijani president said that the plane was damaged from outside on Russian territory, near Grozny, and almost lost control. According to him, the plane was rendered uncontrollable by electronic warfare and the tail section was badly damaged by fire from the ground.

Aliyev stressed that the Russian side should apology to Azerbaijan, admit its guilt and bring those responsible for the AZAL plane crash to justice, as well as pay compensation.

The White House said it had evidence that the Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane was shot down by a Russian air defense system.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, the Azerbaijan Airlines plane was shot down by Russia’s Pantsir-S1 air defense system.