Putin Admits Russian Missiles Downed Azerbaijan Airliner

17 HOURS AGO·UPDATED 12 HOURS AGO

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Above: Russia's President Vladimir Putin meets with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on Oct. 9, 2025. Image copyright: Grigory Sysoyev/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-Russia narrative

Putin's transparent handling of the investigation into the Azerbaijan Airlines crash demonstrates genuine accountability and diplomatic maturity. Russia immediately took responsibility, with Putin personally overseeing the probe and promising full compensation to the victims' families. This honest approach has successfully restored friendly relations between the two nations.

TASS RT

Pro-establishment narrative

Putin's actions come after months of denial and are merely a calculated move to avoid material consequences for Russia's actions. After America's successful mediation in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, Putin's public admission to Aliyev is nothing more than a desperate attempt to claw back soft power in the region.

Le Monde.fr X