Overview
- Two Russian missiles detonated about 10 meters from the Embraer E190 near Grozny, and fragments caused the damage that led to the crash.
- Putin said cockpit recordings indicate the pilot reported a suspected bird strike and declined an emergency landing in Makhachkala.
- The flight diverted across the Caspian and crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, killing 38 of the 67 people on board, according to Kazakh and Azerbaijani authorities.
- Russia will compensate victims' families and conduct a legal assessment of officials' actions, with Putin saying he is personally overseeing a near-complete investigation.
- Azerbaijan's Ilham Aliyev thanked Putin for the disclosure as both leaders signaled a desire to ease tensions, with Putin expressing hope the "bad page" has been turned.