On December 26, Kazakh Senate Speaker Maulen Ashimbayev commented on the ongoing investigation into the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane, emphasizing that it was too early to draw conclusions based on photo and video evidence. He dismissed speculation about the cause of the crash, particularly rumors of shelling, stating, "The nature of these damages, the causes of the crash are now unknown. Making any conclusions based on photos is speculation, these are unfounded statements." Ashimbayev called for experts to conduct their work without outside interference.

In related developments, Russian authorities closed North Caucasus airports on December 25 to ensure flight safety, while Rosaviatsia confirmed that all necessary safety measures had been implemented. Azerbaijan Airlines suspended flights from Baku to several Russian airports starting December 28, citing preliminary investigation findings and potential risks to flight safety.

On December 28, Chechen authorities declared a day of mourning for the victims of the crash. Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of Chechnya, signed a decree expressing condolences and declaring December 28 a day of mourning in the Chechen Federal Republic.

Meanwhile, Qazaq Air suspended flights from Astana to Yekaterinburg, citing safety concerns and an AZAL plane en route from Baku to Mineralnye Vody had to return due to unknown circumstances, reportedly linked to Ukrainian drone attacks.

In response to the crash, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the Kremlin would not offer any assessments until the investigation was concluded. Azerbaijani MP Rasim Musabekov's demanded for an apology from Russia regarding the incident was also noted by Peskov, but he refrained from commenting further.

On December 28, Türkiye sent a team of investigators to Baku to assist with the investigation into the crash. Turkish Transport Ministry head Abdulkadir Uraloglu confirmed that the team would work closely with Azerbaijani authorities.

On the same day, a telephone conversation between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Russian President Vladimir Putin took place, where Putin expressed condolences and apologized for the tragic incident occurring in Russian airspace. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also expressed his condolences to Aliyev, mourning the loss of life in the crash and wishing a swift recovery to the injured.

On December 29, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev made remarks accusing Russia of shooting down the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane that crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 25. Aliyev stated that the plane had been accidentally shot down by Russian forces, although he clarified that it was not intentional. He explained that the plane, which was traveling from Baku to Grozny, had been fired upon from the ground in Russian airspace and had become uncontrollable due to electronic warfare.

Aliyev expressed frustration with Russia’s initial response, noting that for the first three days after the crash, Russian officials had provided what he termed "nonsense" versions of events. He criticized Moscow for its slow acknowledgment of the incident and emphasized that Azerbaijan was certain of the circumstances surrounding the crash. "We can say with absolute certainty that the plane was shot down by Russia," Aliyev declared.