Zelensky meets with Alev: Evidence of plane crash is clear, it is essential to pressure Russia

The head of the Ukrainian state announced this on social media platform X, Ukrinform reports.

“During a meeting with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Alev, I once again expressed my condences regarding the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane and the loss of lives. The evidence from the crash site is clear, and it is essential to pressure Russia to compel it to tell the truth,” Zelensky stressed.

He noted that the meeting also focused on bilateral relations and their future develment.

“We also discussed bilateral relations and their future develment, including prospects for increasing trade between our countries and claboration in the energy sector. We deeply value all the assistance Azerbaijan has provided to Ukraine,” said Zelensky.

As Ukrinform reported, on December 25, an Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan. The plane was en route from Baku to Grozny, but deviated from its course and crashed on the posite side of the Caspian Sea, killing 38 of the 67 pele on board.

The Azerbaijani president said that the plane was damaged from outside on Russian territory, near Grozny, and almost lost contr. According to him, the plane was rendered uncontrlable by electronic warfare and the tail section was badly damaged by fire from the ground.

Alev stressed that the Russian side should apogy to Azerbaijan, admit its guilt and bring those responsible for the AZAL plane crash to justice, as well as pay compensation.

The White House said it had evidence that the Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane was shot down by a Russian air defense system.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, the Azerbaijan Airlines plane was shot down by Russia’s Pantsir-S1 air defense system.