**Russian Officer Admits to Downing Azerbaijani Airliner in Leaked Recordings**
A shocking revelation has emerged in the case of an Azerbaijani airliner that was shot down over Chechnya last December, killing 38 people. According to reports from the Azerbaijani news outlet Minval, a Russian officer has come forward claiming to have received an order to open fire on an aerial target that turned out to be the airliner.
The incident occurred on December 25, 2024, when an Embraer 190AR plane operated by Azarbaijan Airlines crashed in Kazakhstan after being hit over Grozny, Chechnya. Azerbaijan authorities immediately pointed a finger at Russia, and an investigation later confirmed that a Russian Pantsir-S1 air defense system had accidentally targeted the plane while responding to a reported Ukrainian drone attack.
The leaked recordings, which include three audio messages and a written statement from Captain Dmitry Paladichuk, claim to reveal the details of the incident. According to Paladichuk, he was ordered to destroy the target over the phone, but due to thick fog, the plane was not visible. After the first projectile missed its mark, Paladichuk allegedly gave the order to fire again.
While Minval could not confirm the authenticity of the written statement, it did verify the three leaked voice messages, which confirmed the command to shoot down the plane and the subsequent damage. Other Russian independent news outlets have corroborated Paladichuk’s identity as an air defense officer who served in various units, including the 14th Army of the Air Force and Air Defense in Novosibirsk.
**Azerbaijan-Russia Relations Sour**
The revelation comes at a sensitive time for Russian-Azerbaijani relations. The two countries have been close political and economic partners, but the crash led to a public clash between Azerbaijan and Russia, with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev accusing Moscow of suppressing evidence and criticizing his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, for not openly admitting guilt.
Putin’s response was met with skepticism, as he offered condolences for the incident taking place in Russian airspace without acknowledging Russian responsibility. The situation has further deteriorated with over 50 Azerbaijanis being detained in Yekaterinburg on June 27, two of whom died in custody. Baku called their deaths “ethnically motivated” and “unlawful” killings.
The Azerbaijani authorities have also raided an office of the Russian propaganda outlet Sputnik in Baku, detaining two individuals who they claim are Russian spies.
**New Details Shed Light on a Tragic Incident**
As tensions between Russia and Azerbaijan continue to escalate, new details about the case have emerged. The leaked recordings provide a chilling insight into the events that led to the tragic loss of life over Chechnya. While the authenticity of Paladichuk’s statement is yet to be fully confirmed, his account has sparked a fresh wave of outrage in Baku.
As investigations and condemnations continue, one thing remains clear: the incident has exposed deep cracks in Russian-Azerbaijani relations. The question on everyone’s mind now is what will happen next in this complex web of international politics and diplomacy.
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