Russian President Vladimir Putin has apologized to Azerbaijan for the plane crash in Kazakhstan on 25th December.
Azerbaijan commercial airline crashed in Russian airspace killing about 38 passengers. The plane crash landed after it tried landing in Russia on Thursday Christmas day.
Putin revealed that the commercial plane was in its airspace when the country’s air defense systems were active.
When the plane tried to land in Russian region of Chechnya, it came under fire, compelling it to divert across the Caspian Sea.
The plane carrying a total of 67 passengers then crash landed near Aktau in Kazakhstan.
Earlier, Ukraine had attacked Russia with several drones. This has put the Russian Air defenses on high alert. Hence Putin told Azerbaijan that its defense system was actively repelling offensives from Ukraine.
Sources from Russia say Putin had spoken to the leader of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev apologizing for the crash and calling it a tragic accident.
The Russian president never indicated whether its defense systems shot down the plane. He only said it was in its airspace and the defense system was active.
Kremlin’s statement on the position of the president is “(President) Vladimir Putin apologized that the tragic incident occurred in Russian airspace and once again expressed his deep and sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured,”
“Vladimir Putin apologized for the tragic incident that occurred in Russian airspace and once again expressed his deep and sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured,” the statement further said
In a conversation between the two leaders, Azerbaijan leader pointed out to the Russian leader and said “the multiple holes in the aircraft’s fuselage, injuries sustained by passengers and crew due to foreign particles penetrating the cabin mid-flight, and testimonies from surviving flight attendants and passengers confirm evidence of external physical and technical interference”.
Though Russia had earlier remained silent about its involvement, US defense officials on Friday, had fingered Russia as the perpetuator of the crash.
Reasons Putin Might Have Apologized
Many have described Putin’s apology as a rare one because the Russian leader seldom does so.
It is also believed that Russia needs its Azerbaijan neighbor and trade partner. Azerbaijan has excluded itself from any possible trade sanctions imposed on Putin’s country.
Russia is Azerbaijan’s third largest trading partner overall and first in the non- oil sector. This makes the country a strategic ally for Putin.
Both countries are carrying out proper investigations to ascertain the real cause of the plane crash.
