Dec. 28 (UPI) — Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized for the fatal crash of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 over Christmas, but took responsibility for the crash as the investigation into the case continues.
“During the conversation, Vladimir Putin expressed his apologies for the tragic incident” that occurred after the plane “was subjected to external physical and technical interference in Russian airspace,” Aliyev said in a statement.
“Multiple holes in the aircraft fuselage, injuries sustained by passengers and equipment due to foreign debris that entered the cabin mid-flight, and testimonies from surviving flight attendants and passengers verify the existence of external physical and technical interference,” he said.
Putin and Aliyev agreed that a “thorough and thorough investigation of all major points of the tragedy” will be carried out to ensure that “the culprits are held accountable. “
The Azerbaijani plane “was flying as planned and was continually trying to land at Grozny airport,” Putin said in an online message on Saturday.
“Unmanned combat aerial vehicles attacked Grozny, Mozdok and Vladikavkaz,” Putin said. “Russian air defense systems were repelling those attacks. “
Putin said the Russian Investigative Committee had opened criminal proceedings in the case and that Russian investigators were working in Grozny, as well as those from Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan on the airport crash. ‘Aktau in Kazakhstan.
While Putin said Grozny was being attacked by Ukrainian drones when the Azerbaijan Airlines plane tried to land, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha blamed Russia for the fatal crash in a post on X on Friday.
After expressing condolences to Azerbaijan officials, Sybiha said a Russian anti-aircraft system caused the deadly crash.
Sybiha described the images and videos of the plane’s cockpit as “irrefutable proof” that a Russian anti-aircraft missile hit the plane.
“We call for a fair and independent investigation to ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” Sybiha said in a subsequent message. “We will have to not let Russia lie, avoid shifting blame after blame. “
U. S. National Security Adviser John Kirthrough said Friday that Russian anti-aircraft planes appeared to have caused the crash, but said it was vital to wait for the conclusion of a joint investigation led by Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.
“We have Array. . . some early indications that would in fact point to the option that this aircraft was shot down through Russian air defense systems,” Kirthrough told the media on Friday.
“An investigation is ongoing at this time,” Kirby added. “We have come forward to help with this investigation if they wish [or] if they wish. ”
The airliner was flying from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, Wednesday morning when it encountered problems with its control system.
The first explanations indicated that the aircraft had been diverted due to meteorological situations and warned that a bird strike could have broken it before the accident.