Following a tragic plane crash in Kazakhstan that claimed the lives of at least 38 individuals, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has pointed fingers at Russia, accusing the nation of orchestrating a cover-up. Aliyev asserts that Russian air defenses were responsible for downing the passenger plane, a claim Russia has yet to officially confirm.

While Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered an apology for the "tragic incident," the Kremlin's official statements attribute the event to Russian air defenses engaging Ukrainian attack drones, stopping short of admitting direct responsibility for the plane's downing.

Investigators are currently examining the crash site of the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) passenger plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan. (Meiramgul Kussainova/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Aliyev, despite being a close ally of Putin, publicly stated, "Our plane was shot down by accident… In the first three days, we heard only absurd versions from Russia. We witnessed clear attempts to cover up the matter." Although the two leaders held a phone call to discuss the incident, details of their conversation remain undisclosed.

President Aliyev pictured at a polling station in Khankendi, Azerbaijan. (Azerbaijani Presidential Press Office via AP)

Survivors and crew members of the downed Embraer 190 aircraft reported hearing a loud bang prior to the crash. Passenger Subhonkul Rakhimov recounted his experience from a hospital bed, stating he believed the plane was going to disintegrate. He described the aircraft as feeling "damaged" and behaving erratically after the bang.

The plane was traveling from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia. (The Administration of Mangystau Region)

Another survivor, Vafa Shabanova, claimed to have heard two explosions in the air before the plane crashed. The incident continues to be investigated, and further details are expected to emerge as the inquiry progresses.