Russian President Vladimir Putin Apologizes for Azerbaijani Airlines Crash in Russian Airspace
Russia‘s President Vladimir Putin has apologized to President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan for a tragic incident involving an Azerbaijani Airlines passenger plane that crashed on Wednesday in Russian airspace. The crash resulted in the loss of at least 38 lives with 29 survivors.
The Tragic Incident
Azerbaijani Airlines flight J2-8243 crashed in a fiery ball near Aktau, Kazakhstan after diverting from southern Russia where Ukrainian drones were attacking several cities. The preliminary findings of Azerbaijan’s investigation, according to four knowledgeable sources, suggest that Russian air defenses mistakenly shot down the plane.
Russian Apology and Explanation
“President 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,” the Kremlin stated. Putin also wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
The Kremlin provided additional context, noting that the Azerbaijani passenger jet repeatedly attempted to land at Grozny airport due to the ongoing Ukrainian drone attacks on Grozny, Mozdok, and Vladikavkaz. Russian air defense systems responded to these threats, leading to the unfortunate aftermath.
Further Actions by Azerbaijan
President Aliyev commented that the plane had faced external physical and technical interference in Russian airspace, causing it to lose control and travel off course. Following the crash, Azerbaijan Airlines suspended flights from Baku to Grozny and Makhachkala. The airline further halted services to eight additional Russian cities.
However, Azerbaijan Airlines maintained flights to six Russian cities, including Moscow and St. Petersburg, which have also experienced Ukrainian drone attacks in the past.
Impact on International Aviation
In response to the developments, Kazakhstan’s Qazaq Air halted flights from Astana to Yekaterinburg for a month. FlyDubai suspended flights to Sochi and Mineralnye Vody until January 5th. Israel’s El Al airline temporarily ceased operations to Moscow due to “developments in Russia’s airspace” and stated it would reassess the situation the following week.
Conclusion
The tragic incident involving the Azerbaijani Airlines flight underscores the challenges faced by international aviation in regions affected by ongoing conflicts. The apology from President Putin signals a step towards addressing the concerns of affected nations and their citizens, while also highlighting the need for continuous improvements in air traffic control and defense systems.
This event serves as a stark reminder of the collateral damage that wars can have on civilian air travel and the global aviation industry as whole.
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