Putin apologizes to Azerbaijan over ‘tragic’ plane crash, but stops short of taking responsibility

Summary

Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized to Azerbaijan for a plane crash in Russian airspace that killed 38 people but did not confirm if Russian defenses caused it.

The airliner, en route to Grozny, was reportedly affected by “external interference” amid Ukrainian drone attacks on Grozny’s airport.

U.S. intelligence suggests the plane may have been mistakenly shot down by Russian missiles due to its irregular flight pattern.

An investigation involving civilian and military experts is ongoing, as speculation about potential Russian misidentification grows.