Aliyev rejects version of targeted attack on AZAL plane

The AZAL airplane was not shot down specifically over the territory of the Russian Federation. This statement was made by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on December 29.

He added that the airplane that crashed near Aktau was damaged due to "shelling from the ground."

"Of course, our airplane was accidentally shot down. Of course, any deliberate terrorist act is out of the question here. Therefore, admitting our guilt, apologizing to Azerbaijan, which is considered a friendly country, and bringing this to the public - all these were steps that had to be taken," he said in an interview with Azerbaijani television at Heydar Aliyev International Airport.

The Azerbaijani leader also pointed to the need to recognize the guilt, punish the perpetrators of the incident and bring them to criminal responsibility.

The President also praised the professionalism and dedication of the crew members. He especially emphasized the work of women on board, their humane behavior, which they displayed to calm passengers and not to create chaos inside the plane.

Tragedy in Aktau: Baku-Grozny passenger plane crashed

A fire started at the scene and there are survivors

A passenger plane of AZAL Airlines, heading on the route Baku - Grozny, crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau on December 25. The Ministry of Transport of Azerbaijan named the preliminary cause of the crash as outside interference. After the incident, a criminal case was initiated. According to the airline's list, there were 62 passengers and five crew members on board. A total of 38 bodies were found at the crash site. Of the crew, three people survived.

Seven Russians died in the airplane crash, nine citizens of the Russian Federation survived. Later, a special airplane of the Russian Emergencies Ministry delivered them to Moscow.