Azerbaijani MFA apologizes to Russia for downed helicopter

Near the Nakhichevan section of the Azerbaijani-Armenian border, a Russian military helicopter was shot down by mistake, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has informed. Baku has apologized to the Russian party.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in the evening on November 9, a Mi-24 helicopter accompanying the convoy of the Russian military base through the territory of Armenia was shot down from an anti-aircraft missile system near the border with the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic (NAR), the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has stated. Two crew members perished in the crash; and another one was evacuated with traumas.

The helicopter was shot down in the Nakhichevan section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the Azerbaijani MFA has noted, explaining in its statement, received by the "Caucasian Knot", that "the flight of the helicopter took place in close proximity to the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border, while active combat clashes continue in the conflict zone."

Azerbaijan apologizes to Russia "in connection with this tragic incident, which is of accidental nature and was not directed against Russia," the MFA has stated.

The Azerbaijani party has expressed sincere condolences to the casualties' families and its readiness to pay compensations, the statement said.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 9, 2020 at 09:28 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.