In the wake of the tragic crash of Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev have engaged in high-level discussions to address the incident and support the affected families.
Kremlin officials reported that President Putin extended his deepest condolences to the victims' families and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. He expressed regret over the accident that took place in Russian airspace, highlighting the challenging security situation at the time of the flight's disappearance.
The Kremlin statement detailed that during the incident, cities like Grozny, Mozdok, and Vladikavkaz were under attack by Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles. Russian air defense systems successfully repelled these threats, ensuring regional security.
President Aliyev commented on the circumstances leading to the crash, stating that the aircraft suffered from external physical and technical interference within Russian airspace. This interference resulted in a total loss of control, ultimately causing the plane to veer off course and crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan.
The Russian Investigative Committee has initiated a criminal case to investigate the causes of the crash. Preliminary investigative actions are already underway, with close collaboration between Russian and Azerbaijani authorities.
Currently, two Azerbaijani General Prosecutor's Office employees are stationed in Grozny, working alongside their Russian counterparts. Additionally, specialized teams from Russia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan are jointly managing the crash site near Aktau, ensuring a thorough and cooperative investigation process.
The ill-fated flight carried 62 passengers and five crew members, with at least 38 individuals confirmed dead. As the investigation unfolds, the international community watches closely, hoping for answers that can prevent such tragedies in the future.
(With input from Reuters)
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Putin speaks with Aliyev over Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash
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