INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Vladimir Putin admitted Saturday that Russian air defence was working when an Azerbaijani Airlines plane attempted to land in Grozny before
crashing, breaking the Kremlins silence as speculation mounted Russia might have unintentionally shot down the plane.The Russian leader
called his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev, apologizing for the event that took place in Russian airspace, while stopping brief of
saying Russian air defense shot the plane.Baku, on the other hand, said Aliyev had emphasised to Putin that the plane was hit by external
interference over Russia, saying it desired those accountable held accountable
The telephone call between the allies came three days after the Embraer 190 airplane flying from Baku to Grozny crashed in Kazakhstan,
eliminating 38 people out of the 67 onboard.Western professionals have actually blamed Russia, while the U.S
stated it had early indications the plane was shot.Putin informed Aliyev the airplane had actually attempted to land in Grozny a number
During this time, Grozny, Mozdok and Vladikavkaz were being assaulted by Ukrainian combat drones and Russian air defence was driving away
these attacks, Putin stated, according to a Kremlin transcript.It included that: Vladimir Putin had provided his apologies that the awful
event happened in Russias air area and once again revealed his deep and genuine condolences to the families of the dead, wanting a fast
healing to those affected
But Aliyev appeared in no doubt that the airplane was shot at over Russia
President Ilham Aliyev highlighted that the Azerbaijan Airlines guest airplane came across external physical and technical disturbance while
in Russian airspace, leading to a total loss of control, Bakus presidency said in a statement.It included Aliyev highlighted that the
numerous holes in the airplanes fuselage, injuries sustained by guests and crew due to foreign particles penetrating the cabin mid-flight,
and statements from surviving flight attendants and passengers confirm proof of external physical and technical disturbance
Survivors have told the media about hearing an explosion as the plane attempted to land.Aliyevs office stated Baku desired an
investigation guaranteeing those accountable are held accountable
Stark pointer of MH17Speculation has swirled for days, with the U.S
weighing in Friday.Its White House spokesperson John Kirby said Washington had early indications that would definitely indicate the
possibility that this jet was reduced by Russian air defense systems
Putins call followed the Kremlin had earlier stated it would be inappropriate to discuss the speculations.Moscow also said it will deal
with an examination by Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.While some in Azerbaijan a Russian ally have actually required an apology from Moscow,
Kazakhstan, one of Moscows main allies, has actually not blamed Russia.Russian authorities had previously stated that Ukrainian drones were
attacking Grozny that day.Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky stated he likewise talked to Aliyev on Saturday, stating the video footage of
the plane make it looks quite like an air defence missile strike
The essential priority now is a thorough examination that will answer all questions about what truly took place
Russia must supply clear explanations and stop spreading out disinformation, Zelensky stated on social media.The EU, meanwhile, urged a
swift, independent global examination
Its leading diplomat Kaja Kallas stated the crash was a plain reminder of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which global investigations
stated was downed by a surface-to-air rocket by Russian-backed rebels over eastern Ukraine in 2014
Airlines cancel flightsA series of airline companies have today started cancelling flights to Russia after the incident, consisting of
national providers of Moscows allies.The vast bulk of Western airline companies have actually stopped flights to Russia because Moscow
launched its Ukraine offensive.Turkmenistan Airlines the nationwide provider of the reclusive Central Asian state was the latest airline
company to announce cancellations Saturday.It said that routine flights between Ashgabat-Moscow-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 arranged in between Dec
Kazakhstans Qazaq Air has actually suspended its flights to Russias Urals city of Yekaterinburg until completion of January.Earlier today,
Israeli airline company El Al stated it was suspending its flights to Moscow for a week.
