Ukraine calls for fair investigation of plane crash in Kazakhstan, Ukraine's Minister
Photo: Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha (Vitalii Nosach/RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine calls for a fair investigation into the plane crash in Kazakhstan to ensure Russia does not escape responsibility for the tragedy, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha states.
"The crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane is horrifying. We express our condolences to Azerbaijan. It is telling that Russian media immediately began lying about the causes of the crash and that Russia forced the damaged plane to fly over the sea," Sybiha said.
The minister did not rule out that this was likely an attempt to "bury the evidence," destroying proof of Russia's crime.
"The more photos and videos emerge from the cabin of the plane and after its crash, the more they point to damage caused by a Russian anti-aircraft system," the Foreign Minister added.
Sybiha emphasized that Ukraine is calling for a fair and impartial investigation to ensure those responsible are held accountable.
"We must not allow Russia to lie, evade responsibility, or shift the blame," the Foreign Minister concluded.
Passenger plane crash in Kazakhstan
On December 25, a passenger plane crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan. It was flying from Baku to Grozny.
There were 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and five crew members. Thirty-eight people lost their lives. Later, it was revealed that the Embraer 190 plane belonging to Azerbaijan Airlines might have been shot down in Russia. Later, Azerbaijani authorities confirmed that the crash near Aktau was indeed caused by a Russian missile.
Currently, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have suspended flights to several Russian cities following the plane's downing.
For more information about what happened to the Embraer 190 passenger plane of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) and which version of the tragedy is the most plausible, read our article on the topic.
