MOSCOW: Russias’ President Vladimir Putin has apologised to his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev that the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane crash occurred in Russia’s airspace, the Kremlin press office reported on Saturday.
“Vladimir Putin offered his apologies that the tragic incident had occurred in Russia’s airspace and once again conveyed his deep and sincere condolences to the families of the plane crash victims and wished those injured the quickest recovery,” the press office said in a statement.
He highlighted that the Azerbaijani passenger aircraft had made multiple attempts to land in the city of Grozny, Chechnya at a time when Russian air defence systems were actively responding to a Ukrainian drone attack.
During a phone call with Aliyev, he said that the Russian Investigative Committee had initiated a case under Article 263 of the Criminal Code, which covers violations of air traffic safety and operation rules.
“Preliminary investigative actions are underway, with civilian and military specialists being consulted,” the statement added.
An Azerbaijan Airlines flight from Azerbaijan’s capital Baku to Grozny crashed near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan on Wednesday killing 38 people and leaving 29 survivors among the 67 onboard.
Two representatives from Azerbaijan’s General Prosecutor’s Office are currently in Grozny cooperating with Russian officials from the General Prosecutor’s Office and the Investigative Committee.
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Earlier Chief of Russia’s aviation Dmitry Yadrov had said that the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines flight, occurred as Ukrainian drones were targeting the area.
Head of Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency Rosaviatsiya said that Ukrainian combat drones were carrying out attacks in the cities of Grozny and Vladikavkaz at that time, forcing the Grozny airport to require the immediate departure of all aircraft from the specified area.
“In addition, there was thick fog in the area of the Grozny airport. There was no visibility at an altitude of 500 meters,” he added.
However, Ukraine’s presidency has said that Russia should be held accountable for the deadly plane.
“Russia must be held responsible for the downing of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane. Condolences to the relatives of the victims,” presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak said on social media.
The incident adds to a series of aviation challenges in the area, with both the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the use of advanced air defence and jamming technologies complicating efforts to ensure safety for commercial flights in the area.
