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Putin explains to Aliyev of Azerbaijan how Russian air defences brought down a passenger aircraft

Azerbaijani leader was told by Russian President Vladimir Putin that two Russian missiles were detonated next to an Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft last year, after Ukrainian drones invaded Russian airspace. Putin promised compensation for those who had been affected.

Flight J2-8243 was diverted from southern Russia where Ukrainian drones had been reported to have attacked several targets. The flight crashed-landed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 25, after it diverted from the Chechen capital Grozny.

At least 38 people have been killed.

On Thursday, video footage showed Putin and Aliyev smiling and shaking hands before a bilateral meet-up in Tajikistan where Putin discussed the plane crash.

Putin issued a statement last year stating that he would be releasing a

rare public apology

Aliyev was criticized by the Kremlin for what it called a 'tragic incident' over Russia, in which a plane crashed after Russian air defenses were deployed to stop Ukrainian drones.

He went even further on Thursday.

Putin said to Aliyev, "Ofcourse, all that is needed in such tragic situations will be done on the Russian side with regards to compensation and legal assessments of all official matters will be given."

It is our duty to provide an objective assessment and identify the real causes.

Putin informed Aliyev of the fact that two Russian missiles were launched several metres from the aircraft after Ukrainian drones crossed into Russian airspace.

The Embraer jet flew from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to Grozny in the southern Russian republic of Chechnya where the accident occurred. It then traveled, with severe damage, a further 450 miles (280 miles) across the Caspian Sea.

Aliyev has been vocal about his anger at the crash.

Initial reactions

He said that the Russian government was trying to conceal the truth about the incident. Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Writing by Andrew Osborn Editing by Andrew Osborn

(source: Reuters)