Aliyev tells Putin AZAL plane experienced physical, technical interference while in Russian airspace before crash

BAKU. Dec 28 (Interfax) - Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin that numerous holes in the fuselage of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed near Kazakhstan's Aktau on December 25, as well as the injuries caused to its passengers and crewmembers, indicate that the plane experienced external physical and technical interference, the Azerbaijani presidential press service said in a statement on Saturday.

"Vladimir Putin expressed his apologies regarding the tragic incident involving an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane operating the Baku-Grozny route on December 25, which was subjected to external physical and technical interference in Russian airspace. President Putin extended his deepest and most sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the crash and wished a swift recovery to the injured," the statement said.

Aliyev said that the plane experienced external physical and technical interference while in Russian airspace, lost control, was redirected toward Kazakhstan's city of Aktau, and managed to make an emergency landing solely due to the pilots' courage and professionalism, it said.

"The head of state highlighted that the multiple holes in the aircraft's fuselage, injuries sustained by passengers and crew due to foreign particles penetrating the cabin mid-flight, and testimonies from surviving flight attendants and passengers confirm evidence of external physical and technical interference," it said.

The two presidents agreed on "the need for a thorough and comprehensive investigation into all the details of the tragedy, ensuring those responsible are held accountable," it said.

Aliyev also said during the conversation that a team of international experts was formed at Azerbaijan's initiative to conduct an in-depth investigation into the causes of the accident, which has already begun working, it said.

"The heads of state also reaffirmed that the investigation into the tragedy will be conducted with full transparency, with regular updates provided to the public," it said.