Putin Apologizes to President Ajer for Airplane Crash

Russian President Vladimir Putin has apologized to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for the crash of an Azerbaijani plane three days ago.

Russia's state-run Tas news agency reported on the 28th local time that Putin had spoken to Aliyev by phone and apologized for a "tragic accident" in Russian airspace.

According to AFP, the Kremlin said Putin had explained to Aliyev that Russian air defenses were in operation just before the plane crashed.

This is the first time Russia has acknowledged responsibility for the Azerbaijani plane crash and apologized.

Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J28243 departed from Baku, Azerbaijan, on the 25th and was heading to Grozny, Russia, when it suddenly changed course and crossed the Caspian Sea to the east before crashing while attempting to land in Aktau, western Kazakhstan.

The plane was carrying 67 people, including 37 Azerbaijanis and 16 Russians, 38 of whom were killed.Shortly after the

accident, Russia said, "The plane collided with a flock of birds," but it has been pointed out that the flock of birds may not be the cause, considering that the crash site was significantly off course and that there were many holes in the aircraft.

When major foreign media quoted an Azerbaijani government official as suggesting that the Russian air defense missile should be shot down, Russia said it should refrain from premature speculation and wait and see the results of the accident investigation.