A Russian-bound airliner carrying 67 people and operated by an Azerbaijani company crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan
Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended his condolences to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev after a tragic plane crash involving Azerbaijan Airlines near Aktau, Kazakhstan on Wednesday morning.
The aircraft, an Embraer E190AR, was en route from Baku, Azerbaijan to Grozny, Chechnya, carrying 67 people, including 62 passengers and five crew members. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that 28 individuals survived the incident, but the number of casualties remains unknown.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin spoke with Aliyev to express his condolences. “We deeply sympathize with those who lost their loved ones,” Peskov said.
Due to the tragedy, Aliyev had to return to Baku from an informal CIS summit in Russia. “Unfortunately, Aliyev was forced to leave St. Petersburg,” the Kremlin spokesman went on to say, adding that “all current issues will be discussed” at the meeting, and that the leaders present would extend their condolences to the victims’ families.
The informal summit of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) leaders hosted by Putin is taking place this week at the Igora resort complex near St. Petersburg. Peskov indicated that while there is no formal agenda for the summit, discussions will cover topics such as bilateral relations and matters concerning the CIS. No official documents are expected to be signed, as the focus is on fostering dialogue among member states in a relaxed environment.
Peskov noted that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan would not attend the meeting due to contracting Covid-19, expressing hope that he could join via video conference. “This is very important; Armenia is a very important participant,” he stressed.
