Putin Apologizes for Azerbaijani Plane Crash

Russian President Vladimir Putin has apologized to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev following the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane in Kazakhstan, which resulted in 38 fatalities. The Kremlin indicated that Russian air defense systems were active due to ongoing Ukrainian drone strikes in the area, but stopped short of directly admitting that these systems may have been responsible for the crash. Preliminary investigations have suggested 'external physical and technical interference' with the aircraft, supported by passenger accounts of loud noises during descent. Survivors and officials have raised concerns about possible external weapon involvement, as investigations continue. Tensions between Moscow and Baku have escalated amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, prompting Azerbaijan Airlines to suspend flights to Russian destinations. The investigation is ongoing, with international aviation experts examining the wreckage and flight data.