Putin Apologizes for Azerbaijani Plane Crash

Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for the tragic crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 that occurred in Russian airspace, killing 38 people. While Putin acknowledged that the plane attempted to land in Grozny amid Ukrainian drone attacks, he did not confirm that Russian air defense was responsible for downing the aircraft. Aliyev emphasized that evidence suggests the plane was hit by external interference, with reports indicating multiple holes in the fuselage consistent with a missile strike. The Russian government has initiated an investigation, with Azerbaijani officials collaborating with Russian authorities at the crash site. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also urged for a thorough investigation, pointing to photographic evidence of damage indicative of a missile attack. The incident has sparked significant international scrutiny regarding Russia's involvement in the crash.