Putin speaks with Aliyev over Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash

Russian President Vladimir Putin called Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and they discussed the fatal Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash.

"(President) Vladimir Putin apologised for the tragic incident that occurred in Russian airspace and once again expressed his deep and sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured," the Kremlin said in a statement on Saturday.

"At that time, Grozny, Mozdok and Vladikavkaz were being attacked by Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, and Russian air defense systems repelled these attacks," the Kremlin said.

Aliyev had noted that the plane had been "subjected to external physical and technical interference in Russian airspace, resulting in a complete loss of control and redirection to the Kazakh city of Aktau," according to Azerbaijan's presidential office.

The Russian Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case on the incident. Initial investigative actions are underway, said the Kremlin. 

Currently, two employees of the General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan are in Grozny, where they are working together with representatives of the General Prosecutor's Office and Russia's Investigative Committee, according to the Kremlin. The specialized services of Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are also closely cooperating at the site of the crash near Aktau.

The flight J2-8243, carrying 62 passengers and five crew members, crashed on Wednesday near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan. At least 38 people were killed.

(With input from Reuters)