Putin Apologizes Without Claiming
Responsibility for Plane
Crash
Putin Apologizes Without Claiming Responsibility for Plane Crash
By AFP
Dec. 28, 2024
Emergency specialists work at the crash site of an Azerbaijan Airlines• Объект организация » Организации по алфавиту » Организации на Аз » Азербайджанские авиалинии (AZAL)
passenger jet near the western Kazakh city of Aktau• Республика Казахстан » География Казахстана » Административное деление Казахстана » Мангистауская область » Актау
• Республика Казахстан » География Казахстана » Населенные пункты Казахстана » Города Казахстана » Актау. HANDOUT Kazakhstan• Республика Казахстан's
emergency situations ministryAFP
Vladimir Putin admitted Saturday that Russian air defence was working when an
Azerbaijani Airlines plane tried to land in Grozny before crashing, breaking
the Kremlin's silence as speculation mounted Russia may have accidentally shot
down the plane.
The Russian leader called his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev,
apologizing for the incident that took place in Russian airspace, while
stopping short of saying Russian air defense shot the plane.
Baku, meanwhile, said Aliyev had "emphasised" to Putin that the plane was hit
by external interference over Russia, saying it wanted those responsible "held
accountable."
The phone call between the allies came three days after the Embraer 190• Авиация » Самолёт » Самолеты Бразилии » Embraer E-Jet
• Авиация » Самолёт » Самолеты по фирмам производителям » Самолеты Embraer » Embraer E-Jet plane
flying from Baku to Grozny crashed in Kazakhstan• Республика Казахстан, killing 38 people out of the
67 onboard.
Western experts have pointed the finger at Russia, while the U.S• Соединённые Штаты Америки (США). said it had
"early indications" the plane was shot.
Putin told Aliyev the plane had tried to land in Grozny "several times."
"During this time, Grozny, Mozdok and Vladikavkaz were being attacked by
Ukrainian combat drones and Russian air defence was repelling these attacks,"
Putin said, according to a Kremlin transcript.
It added that: "Vladimir Putin had presented his apologies that the tragic
incident happened in Russia's air space and again expressed his deep and
genuine condolences to the families of the dead, wishing a quick recovery to
those affected."
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But Aliyev appeared in no doubt that the plane was shot at over Russia.
"President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that the Azerbaijan Airlines• Объект организация » Организации по алфавиту » Организации на Аз » Азербайджанские авиалинии (AZAL) passenger
plane encountered external physical and technical interference while in
Russian airspace, resulting in a complete loss of control," Baku's presidency
said in a statement.
It added Aliyev "highlighted that 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."
Survivors have told the media about hearing an "explosion" as the plane
attempted to land.
Aliyev's office said Baku wanted an investigation "ensuring those responsible
are held accountable."
'Stark reminder' of MH17• Военные конфликты » Военные действия » Военные действия в Украине » Вооружённый конфликт на востоке Украины (2014) » Катастрофа Boeing 777 в Донецкой области
• Авиакатастрофа » Катастрофа Boeing 777 в Донецкой области
Speculation has swirled for days, with the U.S• Соединённые Штаты Америки (США). weighing in Friday.
Its White House• Соединённые Штаты Америки (США) » Населенные пункты США » Города США » Вашингтон » Белый дом (США) spokesman John Kirby said Washington• Соединённые Штаты Америки (США) » Населенные пункты США » Города США » Вашингтон had "early indications
that would certainly point to the possibility that this jet was brought down
by Russian air defense systems."
Putin's phone call came after the Kremlin had earlier said it would be
"inappropriate" to comment on the speculations.
Moscow• Россия » Регионы России » Субъекты Российской Федерации » Города федерального значения России » Москва also said it will work with an investigation by Kazakhstan• Республика Казахстан and
Azerbaijan.
While some in Azerbaijan – a Russian ally – have called for an
apology from Moscow• Россия » Регионы России » Субъекты Российской Федерации » Города федерального значения России » Москва, Kazakhstan• Республика Казахстан, one of Moscow• Россия » Регионы России » Субъекты Российской Федерации » Города федерального значения России » Москва's main allies, has not pointed
the finger at Russia.
Russian officials had earlier said that Ukrainian drones were attacking Grozny
that day.
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said he also spoke to Aliyev on Saturday,
saying the footage of the plane make it looks "very much like an air defence
missile strike."
"The key priority now is a thorough investigation that will answer all
questions about what really happened. Russia must provide clear explanations
and stop spreading disinformation," Zelensky said on social media.
The EU, meanwhile, urged a "swift, independent international investigation."
Its top diplomat Kaja Kallas said the crash was a "stark reminder" of Malaysia
Airlines• Объект организация » Организации по алфавиту » Организации на Ма » Malaysia Airlines flight MH17• Военные конфликты » Военные действия » Военные действия в Украине » Вооружённый конфликт на востоке Украины (2014) » Катастрофа Boeing 777 в Донецкой области
• Авиакатастрофа » Катастрофа Boeing 777 в Донецкой области, which international investigations said was downed by a
surface-to-air missile by Russian-backed rebels over eastern Ukraine in 2014.
Airlines cancel flights
A series of airlines have this week began cancelling flights to Russia after
the incident, including national carriers of Moscow• Россия » Регионы России » Субъекты Российской Федерации » Города федерального значения России » Москва's allies.
The vast majority of Western airlines have stopped flights to Russia since
Moscow• Россия » Регионы России » Субъекты Российской Федерации » Города федерального значения России » Москва launched its Ukraine offensive.
news
Azerbaijan Airlines• Объект организация » Организации по алфавиту » Организации на Аз » Азербайджанские авиалинии (AZAL) Suspends Flights to Russia Following Deadly Crash
Read more
Turkmenistan Airlines• Объект организация » Организации по алфавиту » Организации на Ту » Туркменские авиалинии – the national carrier of the reclusive Central
Asian state – was the latest airline to announce cancellations Saturday.
It said that "regular flights between Ashgabat-Moscow• Россия » Регионы России » Субъекты Российской Федерации » Города федерального значения России » Москва-Ashgabat were cancelled
from 30/12/2024 to 31/01/2025," without giving an explanation.
The decision came after UAE airline flydubai suspended flights between Dubai
and the southern Russian cities of Mineralnye Vody and Sochi that were
scheduled between Dec. 27 and Jan. 3.
Kazakhstan• Республика Казахстан's Qazaq Air• Объект организация » Организации по алфавиту » Организации на Qa » Qazaq Air
• Авиация » Гражданская авиация » Авиакомпания » Авиакомпании Казахстана » Qazaq Air has suspended its flights to Russia's Urals city of
Yekaterinburg until the end of January.
Earlier this week, Israeli airline El Al said it was suspending its flights to
Moscow• Россия » Регионы России » Субъекты Российской Федерации » Города федерального значения России » Москва for a week.
Read more about: Azerbaijan , Air defense
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