Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in a phone conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin made an apology in connection with the downing of Russia’s Mi-24 helicopter in the sky over Armenia, his press service said.
"President Aliyev asked to extend his condolences to the relatives and friends of those killed and also wished a speedy recovery for the injured pilot," the statement said.
Earlier, Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov offered condolences to his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoigu over the downed Russian Mi-24 helicopter in the sky over Armenia, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry’s press service said.
"We offer our apology to the Russian side over this tragedy, which was an accident and was not aimed against Russia. On behalf of the personnel of the Azerbaijani army and me personally I want to express sincere condolences to the families, near and dear of the killed crew members and I wish a speedy recovery to those injured," Hasanov said in a letter to the Russian minister.
On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Russian leader said the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would remain on the positions they hold and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region. Besides, Armenia and Azerbaijan should carry out the exchange of prisoners of war and the bodies of those killed. Aghdam region will be returned to Azerbaijan before November 20, Kelbajar region - before November 15, Lachin region - before December 1.
