Putin confirms 'emotional' crisis in Russia after Aktau Plane wreck with 'hope that we have...'

Vladimir Putin has spoken publicly about the deadly plane crash that shook Russia-Azerbaijan relations. In a calm but emotional statement, Putin dismissed claims of a diplomatic fallout, calling it a “crisis of emotions, not of interstate relations.” The Russian president revealed details of the complex investigation, saying the black boxes were decoded and all data verified by the Defence Ministry and Kazakhstan. He expressed hope to “turn the page” and strengthen ties with Azerbaijan, calling it a “Russian-speaking, friendly nation.”