Azerbaijan's president demands Russia admits guilt after plane crash

Azerbaijan's president Ilham Aliyev said on Sunday that a passenger plane that crashed and killed 38 last week had been damaged by shooting that came from the ground whilst the plane was in Russian airspace.

Aliyev said on state television that Baku demands Moscow's "acknowledgement 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, they were handed over already on 27 December. What were they? Firstly, the Russian side should apologise to Azerbaijan. Secondly, recognise its guilt. Thirdly, to punish those responsible, bring them to criminal responsibility and pay compensation to both the state and the injured passengers and crew members."

"These are our conditions. The first of them was already fulfilled yesterday. I hope that the rest of our demands will also be satisfied," Aliyev said.

At the same time, the Azerbaijani president noted that the plane was not shot down on purpose.

"Of course, our plane was shot down not on purpose. To admit guilt, to apologise in time to Azerbaijan, which is considered a friendly country, and to bring this to the public - all these were measures and steps that had to be taken," the head of state said.

On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin apologised in a telephone conversation with Aliyev for the "tragic incident" involving the Azerbaijan Airlines plane in Russian airspace.

Putin claimed Ukrainian drones attacked Grozny in Chechnya, as well as the cities of Vladikavkaz and Mozdok, at the same time the flight approached to land, saying "Russian air defences repelled these attacks".

"Of course, the final version will be known after the black boxes are opened," said Aliyev, "But the initial versions are sufficiently substantiated and based on facts."

"The facts are that the Azerbaijani civil aircraft was damaged from outside on the territory of Russia, near the city of Grozny, and almost lost control. We also know that our aircraft was rendered uncontrollable by means of electronic warfare. This is the first damage to the aircraft. In addition, as a result of the fire opened from the ground, the tail section of the aircraft was also badly damaged."