President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, met with the families of crew members and survivors of the Embraer 190 passenger plane crash that occurred on December 25, 2024. The plane, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC (AZAL) on the Baku-Grozny route, experienced catastrophic damage near Grozny but managed an emergency landing near Aktau, Kazakhstan, due to the heroic actions of the crew.

During the meeting, President Aliyev emphasized the crew's unparalleled professionalism and bravery, which saved the lives of approximately 30 passengers despite the severe circumstances. He revealed that the crash was caused by external impacts, including electronic warfare interference and ground fire near Grozny. The President criticized the Russian Federation for its failure to close airspace in response to evident threats, calling it a "serious criminal issue."

"Had the pilots not demonstrated such exceptional professionalism and bravery, there would have been no survivors," President Aliyev said. Most victims were Azerbaijani citizens, along with casualties from Russia and Kazakhstan, and injured passengers from Kyrgyzstan.

The Azerbaijani state posthumously awarded the title of National Hero to three crew members, including two pilots and one flight attendant. Two surviving flight attendants were honored with the Order of Rashadat (Valor) of the 1st Category.

President Aliyev lauded the entire crew, stating that their sacrifice exemplified true heroism. "The pilots must have known that this was likely their final flight, yet they remained resolute and did everything in their power to save lives," he noted. The flight attendants, including two women, were praised for their composure and courage in managing the chaotic situation onboard.

A State Commission and the Azerbaijani Prosecutor's Office have launched thorough investigations. Black box decoding, conducted in Brazil under Azerbaijani insistence, involves representatives from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia. President Aliyev reiterated the need for transparency, criticizing Russian agencies for downplaying the incident with "absurd theories."

"We demand justice, accountability, and full disclosure of the truth," the President declared. Preliminary findings indicate electronic interference and ground fire as primary causes. President Aliyev questioned why Russian authorities failed to alert the crew or close the airspace, citing a similar incident that occurred near Grozny just ten days prior.