Vladimir Putin speaks out following reports Russian air defence shot down plane that killed 38 passengers

Russian President Vladimir Putin has released a statement after four sources claimed the devastating plane crash on Christmas Day was caused by 'a Russian air defence system'.

On December 25, an Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft - Flight J2-8243 - crashed off the coast of the Caspian Sea while flying from Azerbaijan's capital Baku to Grozny, capital of the Chechnya region in southern Russia.

'Four sources in Azerbaijan with knowledge of the investigation' told news agency Reuters the plane was 'downed by a Russian air defence system'.

The jet - carrying 67 passengers - was allegedly shot down after being diverted from 'an area of Russia in which Moscow has used air defence systems against Ukrainian drone strikes in recent months'.

Sky News also reported US military sources hold similar suspicions.

And Russian President Vladimir Putin has since released a statement following the crash - of which 38 people are reported dead.

On the President of Russia's website, a statement was released titled: "Telephone conversation with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev."

The release alleges a phone conversation was initiated by Russia between Putin and Aliyev in which the pair discussed 'issues related to the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane on December 25 near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan' and that they talked 'in detail'.

The statement continues: "Vladimir Putin apologized for the fact that the tragic incident occurred in Russian airspace, and once again expressed deep and sincere condolences to the families of the victims, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.

"During the conversation, it was noted that the Azerbaijani passenger aircraft, which was strictly on schedule, repeatedly attempted to land at the Grozny airport. At that time, Grozny, Mozdok and Vladikavkaz were attacked by Ukrainian combat unmanned aerial vehicles, and Russian air defense systems repelled these attacks."

A criminal case under Article 263 of the Criminal Code (violation of traffic safety rules and operation of air transport) is reported as having been opened by the Investigative Committee of Russia.

The statement says 'civilian and military specialists are being questioned' during the 'initial investigative actions' which are currently 'underway'.

It resolves: "Currently, two employees of the Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan are in Grozny, where they are working together with representatives of the Prosecutor General's Office and the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation.

"The relevant services of Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are also closely cooperating at the site of the disaster in the Aktau region."

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