Azerbaijan Confronts Russia Over Crash

Apology not enough, Azeri president says, in sign of Moscow's waning influence

- THOMAS GROVE

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Azerbaijan's president accused Russia of trying to cover up its role in a plane crash that killed 38 people, delivering a harsh condemnation that signaled a reversal of the power dynamics that long saw Moscow hold sway over its former Soviet republics.

President Ilham Aliyev said Sunday that Azerbaijan had demanded that Russia take responsibility for the crash, provide compensation for the country and victims' families, and bring those guilty of downing the plane to justice.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a Saturday phone call, apologized to the Azeri leader for the "tragic incident" that occurred in Russian airspace, but he stopped short of taking responsibility. On Sunday, Aliyev said the apology hadn't been enough. The two spoke again on Sunday.

The recriminations represent one of the biggest confrontations between Russia and the leaders in former Soviet territories, once treated as little more than subordinates in its strategic backyard.

The dispute illustrates Moscow's waning power and influence in the region after its invasion of Ukraine.

Aliyev's remarks on Sunday lacked the deference that has long governed Azerbaijan's relations with Russia. He said that the crash was caused by Russian electronic interference and fire from the ground and that Russian authorities' explanations-which faulted a flock of birds and an exploding gas cylinder-were "foolish and dishonest."

"This clearly showed that the Russian side wanted to cover up the issue, and of course, this is something no one can be proud of," Aliyev said.