Russia issues statement regarding Azerbaijani plane crash in Kazakhstan

Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded to a journalist's question regarding Azerbaijani Member of Parliament Rasim Musabekov's demand for an apology from Russia concerning the Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed in Kazakhstan two days ago.

Stating that he was aware of the aforementioned statement, Peskov noted that he had nothing new to add to previous statements.

Peskov said, "The investigation into this aviation incident is ongoing, and we do not consider ourselves entitled to make any assessment until the investigation yields results. We have aviation authorities capable of doing this, and we will not do so. Information can only come from them."

Reports based on Azerbaijani government sources had stated that it was determined the AZAL passenger plane, which crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan, had been subjected to an attack by a Russian "Pantsir-S" air defense system.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The Embraer 190 type aircraft belonging to AZAL, which was on a flight from Baku to Grozny, crashed on December 25.

AZAL had announced that there were 67 people on board, consisting of a 5-person crew and 62 passengers.

It was reported that 38 people lost their lives in the accident, while 29 people survived.

Speaking to AA, Azerbaijani officials had confirmed the allegation that the plane was subjected to an attack by a Russian "Pantsir-S" air defense system.