Russian, Kazakh presidents discuss investigation into AZAL plane crash

Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev exchanged condolences following the plane crash near Aktau on December 25.

The heads of state discussed the crash of the aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines during a phone call, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

Among those on board were Russian and Kazakh citizens. Both sides agreed that the Kazakh government commission investigating the incident in detail would involve experts from Russia, Azerbaijan, and Brazil in decoding the flight recorders recovered at the crash site. This work is expected to be conducted in an objective and transparent manner. 

The two leaders will remain in constant contact, not only regarding the investigation into the circumstances of this tragic incident involving the Azerbaijani aircraft but also on pressing issues related to the further development of Russian-Kazakh cooperation.

The crash occurred on December 25, when an Embraer aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, flying from Baku to Grozny, tragically went down near Aktau. The flight had 67 people on board, including 37 Azerbaijanis, 16 Russians, 6 Kazakhs, and 3 Kyrgyz nationals. Tragically, 38 people lost their lives, while 29 survivors were rescued.

By Khagan Isayev