The Political Thread

[Chris]

Putin apologises over Azerbaijan plane crash as Kremlin says Russian air defences were repelling Ukrainian attack – live

Kremlin say Russian air defences were repelling attacks while plane was trying to land – but stops short of admitting Russian forces shot plane

www.theguardian.com

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday apologised to Ilham Aliyev, the president of Azerbaijan, for what the Kremlin said was a “tragic incident” in Russian airspace involving the Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed in Kazakhstan on 25 December.

The Kremlin said as the aircraft attempted to land in Grozny, Ukrainian drones were attacking Russia and Russian air defence forces repelled the attacks.

“During this time, Grozny, (the town of) Mozdok and Vladikavkaz were being attacked by Ukrainian combat drones and Russian air defence was repelling these attacks,” the Kremlin said Putin told Aliyev, without saying that Russian air defence hit the plane.

 

[Samoa Looch]

What an asshole

 

[Chris]

South Korea plane crash: casualties reported after Jeju Air flight veers off runway at Muan airport – live updates

At least 20 casualties reported by Yonhap news agency, after plane with 174 passengers and six crews hits airport fence

www.theguardian.com

Casualties are being reported after an aircraft carrying 175 passengers and six flight attendants veered off the runway and crashed into a fence in South Korea, the Yonhap news agency reported on Sunday.

The agency said 23 casualties had been reported so far and that rescues were under way from Jeju Air flight 2216 from Bangkok.

Large plumes of smoke could be seen rising into the sky in early unverified images emerging on social media.

Emergency services received the call at Muan international airport in South Jeolla province at around 9am.