Moscow [Russia], October 10: Russian President Vladimir Putin has for the first time acknowledged that the crash of an Azerbaijani passenger plane last December was caused by Russian air defence mistakes and promised compensation.
"Of course, in such tragic cases, Russia will do everything necessary regarding compensation, and there will be a legal assessment of the actions of all those responsible," Putin said at a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Tajikistan.
The crash in Kazakhstan killed 38 people. There were 29 survivors at the crash site near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan on the Caspian Sea.
According to Kremlin statements, Putin said the investigation had concluded that two factors led to the accident: the presence of a Ukrainian drone in the air and a technical malfunction in Russia's missile defence system.
Two missiles exploded close to the aircraft, showering it with fragments but without a direct hit, he said.
Source: Qatar Tribune
