Russia has pledged to hold those responsible for the downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane accountable, after it was targeted by Russian air defenses, according to a statement released by Azerbaijan on Monday.
The incident, which occurred on July 23rd, involved an AZAL Embraer 190 aircraft that was flying over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. The plane, carrying 121 passengers and crew, was en route from Baku to Ganja when it was shot down by a Russian missile.
The downing of the plane has sparked outrage and condemnation from both Azerbaijan and the international community. The Russian government has since apologized for the incident and promised to take swift action to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
In a statement released by the Russian Foreign Ministry, they expressed their deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and assured that they are committed to working closely with Azerbaijan to investigate the incident.
The statement also emphasized that the Russian military was not targeting the civilian aircraft intentionally and that it was a tragic mistake. The Russian government has also promised to provide compensation to the families of the victims and to cover the costs of the damages caused by the incident.
Azerbaijan has welcomed this response from Russia and has expressed their gratitude for their prompt and sincere apology. They have also stated that they will work closely with Russia to ensure that the investigation is thorough and transparent, and that justice is served for the victims and their families.
The downing of the AZAL plane has further strained the already tense relationship between Azerbaijan and Armenia, who have been in a decades-long conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Both countries have accused each other of violating the ceasefire agreement and escalating the situation.
However, in the wake of this tragic incident, both countries have put their differences aside and have united in their condemnation of the Russian military’s actions. This incident has also highlighted the need for a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and for all parties involved to exercise caution and restraint.
The international community has also expressed their concern over the incident and has called for a thorough investigation to be conducted. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged all parties to refrain from any actions that could escalate the situation and has called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The European Union has also released a statement condemning the downing of the AZAL plane and has called for a full and transparent investigation. They have also expressed their condolences to the families of the victims and their support for Azerbaijan and Russia in finding a resolution to the conflict.
The downing of the AZAL plane has not only resulted in the loss of innocent lives but has also caused significant damage to the relationship between Azerbaijan and Russia. However, the swift and sincere response from the Russian government has shown their commitment to maintaining good relations with Azerbaijan and to resolving the conflict in a peaceful manner.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of communication and cooperation between countries, especially in times of conflict. It also highlights the need for stricter protocols and measures to be in place to prevent such tragic mistakes from happening in the future.
In conclusion, Russia’s pledge to hold those responsible for the downing of the AZAL plane accountable is a step in the right direction towards finding a resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The sincere apology and commitment to compensate the victims’ families and cover the damages show Russia’s willingness to take responsibility for their actions. It is now up to both countries to work together towards a peaceful resolution and to prevent such incidents from happening again.
