The ill-fated Azerbaijan Airlines flight was a bridge between two worlds, connecting the independent, post-Soviet capital of Baku with Grozny, the rebuilt capital of Russia’s restive Chechen Republic. Its destruction has severed more than just an air route; it has damaged a complex relationship.
The flight’s destination is significant. Grozny, though part of Russia, has deep cultural and historical ties to the Caucasus region, including Azerbaijan. The route served not just as a transport link, but as a connection for families, businesses, and a shared regional identity.
The fact that the plane was downed by Russian fire while en route to a Russian city adds a layer of bitter irony to the tragedy. It was a journey intended to foster connection that was ultimately destroyed by an act of Russian military force.
This context makes the ten-month silence from Moscow even more poignant. The very country the flight was traveling to was the one responsible for its demise, yet it offered no explanation, deepening the sense of betrayal.
President Putin’s admission is a first step toward acknowledging this broken connection. However, rebuilding the trust that allows for the free and safe passage of people between these two worlds will require far more than just words and money.