Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to discuss the tragic plane crash involving an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) aircraft near Aktau, Kazakhstan.

Putin expressed his deep condolences and apologized to Aliyev for the fact that the accident occurred in Russian airspace. He extended heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims and wished a swift recovery to those injured.

During the conversation, it was noted that the aircraft, en route from Baku to Grozny, had attempted to land multiple times at Grozny airport. However, at the time, the Chechen capital, along with Mozdok and Vladikavkaz, was under attack by Ukrainian combat drones, which were intercepted by air defense forces.

The Russian Investigative Committee has launched a criminal case under the charge of “Violation of Transportation Safety and Operational Rules.” Investigations are ongoing, with questioning of civilian and military experts. Azerbaijani prosecutors are collaborating with Russian authorities on-site.

The Embraer 190 aircraft, flying from Baku to Grozny, crashed on the morning of December 25 near Aktau. Onboard were five crew members and 62 passengers, including 16 Russian nationals—among them an 11-year-old girl—37 Azerbaijanis, six Kazakhs, and three Kyrgyz citizens. According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Health, 29 people survived. Nine injured Russians were transported to Moscow hospitals for treatment.