Baku, April 16, 2026 – The Europe Today: The governments of Azerbaijan and Russia have reached a mutual settlement addressing the consequences of the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft in December 2024, including compensation arrangements, according to a joint statement issued by their foreign ministries.
The agreement follows understandings reached between President Ilham Aliyev and President Vladimir Putin during their meeting in Dushanbe on October 9, 2025. The statement confirmed that the incident— involving an Embraer 190 operated by Azerbaijan Airlines—resulted from the unintended activation of an air defense system within Russian airspace.
Both sides emphasized that the steps taken demonstrate a shared commitment to strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation within the framework of allied relations. The statement expressed confidence that Azerbaijan-Russia ties, grounded in mutual respect, trust, and consideration of each other’s interests, will continue to develop positively, contributing to regional stability and expanded cooperation.
The two governments also extended their deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the tragedy, reaffirming solidarity with all those affected.
The crash occurred on December 25, 2024, when the Embraer E190 aircraft was severely damaged during its approach to Grozny after being struck by a surface-to-air missile. Despite efforts by the pilots to divert, a failure in the hydraulic system led to a loss of control, and the aircraft ultimately crashed near Aktau International Airport in Aktau, Kazakhstan.
A total of 67 people were on board, including 62 passengers and five crew members. The accident claimed 38 lives, including both pilots and a flight attendant, while 29 individuals survived with injuries.
