Tragic Incident in Russian Airspace: Putin Apologizes to Azerbaijan’s President

Background

On Wednesday, an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane, Flight J2-8243, crashed in a ball of fire near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan, resulting in the loss of at least 38 lives. The incident occurred after the plane diverted from southern Russia, where Ukrainian drones were reported to be attacking several cities.

Investigation Reveals Russian Air Defences at Fault

According to four sources with knowledge of the preliminary findings of Azerbaijan’s investigation into the disaster, Russian air defences mistakenly shot down the plane. The investigation has revealed that the plane was mistakenly identified as a threat and was engaged by Russian air defences.

Putin’s Apology

In response to the incident, Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev for the "tragic incident" that occurred in Russian airspace. Putin expressed his deep and sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

Kremlin’s Statement

The Kremlin released a statement attributed to Putin, stating, "At that time, Grozny, Mozdok and Vladikavkaz were being attacked by Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, and Russian air defence systems repelled these attacks." The call between Putin and Aliyev took place at Putin’s request.

The Incident: A Timeline

The Embraer EMBR3.SA passenger jet had flown from Azerbaijan’s capital Baku to Grozny, in Russia’s southern Chechnya region, before veering off hundreds of miles across the Caspian Sea. The plane was reportedly subjected to external physical and technical interference in Russian airspace, resulting in a complete loss of control and redirection to the Kazakh city of Aktau.

Conclusion

The incident highlights the complexities and risks involved in modern air travel, particularly in regions with active conflicts. The tragic loss of life and injury is a reminder of the importance of ensuring the safety and security of all passengers and crew.

FAQs

• What was the cause of the plane crash?
  • The plane was mistakenly shot down by Russian air defences.
• Who apologized for the incident?
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.
• How many people were killed in the incident?
  • At least 38 people were killed.
• What was the origin of the flight?
  • The flight originated from Azerbaijan’s capital Baku and was destined for Grozny, in Russia’s southern Chechnya region.