Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has accused Russia of conducting a "cover-up" regarding a passenger jet crash that resulted in the death of 38 individuals on Christmas Day. The incident involved an Azerbaijan Airlines flight that had to emergency land in Kazakhstan after being diverted from Grozny, Chechnya, with 67 people aboard.

Brazil’s air force confirmed it extracted data from two black boxes from the crashed Brazilian-made Embraer 190, which Baku claims was downed by Russian air defenses. According to Brazilian authorities, these flight recorders captured crucial cockpit communications and flight data. The findings were submitted to Kazakhstan, the nation leading the investigation into the tragedy, as per international aviation protocols (The Guardian).

On a meeting held Monday with survivors and families of the deceased, Aliyev stated that preliminary investigations have indicated the plane was indeed targeted by Russian missile systems. “I can confidently say that the guilt for the deaths of Azerbaijani citizens in this accident lies with the representatives of the Russian Federation,” Aliyev asserted. He called for accountability and transparency, emphasizing anger over Russia's responses to the crash (CNN).

Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged the "tragic incident" occurring in Russian airspace but placed the blame on ongoing conflicts involving Ukrainian drones in the region at the time. Aliyev countered that timely closure of airspace over Grozny could have averted this disaster. The Azerbaijani leader laid bare his frustrations on media, specifying that the narratives pushed by Russia following the crash are lacking clarity and credibility.

Additionally, a criminal investigation has been initiated by Russia’s investigative committee around the events leading to the crash. The comprehensive analysis of the flight data recorders aims to reveal the true circumstances behind this tragedy, with a focus on potential culpability from the Russian side. Aliyev expressed optimism for soon learning the "initial results" of the investigation and exacting justice for the victims.

The plane carried passengers from Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, and remains a pivotal incident with serious implications for diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Russia.

For more detailed information, refer to the original articles from The Guardian and CNN.