In a statement made today, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev accused Russian authorities of covering up the actual reason behind the Baku-Grozny plane crash by focusing on the bird strike claim after it was confirmed that the Russian defense system shot the plane down.
“Unfortunately, some groups in Russia preferred to stick to this claim (bird strike). One of the things that upset and surprised us was the claims made by Russian authorities about the gas cylinder explosion. In other words, it clearly showed that the Russian side wanted to cover up the issue, and this, of course, does not make anyone happy. Our plane was accidentally shot down. There is no question of a deliberate terrorist act here. Therefore, admitting the crime, apologizing to Azerbaijan, which is considered a friendly country, and announcing it to the public were the necessary steps to be taken. Unfortunately, we heard nothing but absurd claims from Russia in the first 3 days,” said Aliyev.
The Azeri president also stated that they demanded Russia confess its guilt and pay compensation to the Azerbaijani state and the injured passengers and crew.
Aliyeh also said that other details about the accident will come to light after the black boxes are opened today.