The Russian president has apologised to his Azerbaijani counterpart for what he called a "tragic incident" - but stopped short of taking responsibility.

Summary

The UK has rejected Vladimir Putin’s apology over the Azerbaijan Airlines crash, which killed 38 people and injured 29, and called for a “full and independent” investigation.

The UK Foreign Office criticized Putin’s apology, stating it “fails to recognise that the reckless and irresponsible actions of the Russian State pose an acute and direct threat to the interests and national security of other states.”

The plane, en route from Baku to Grozny, crashed in Kazakhstan amid Russian air defense activity.

Evidence suggests it may have been misidentified and struck by a Russian missile.