Azerbaijan says it downed Russian helicopter by accident, apologises

(BAKU) Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday that Azeri forces downed a Russian helicopter near its border with Armenia by accident, expressing apologies to Moscow and readiness to pay compensation.

Russia’s Defence Ministry said earlier on Monday that one of its Mi-24 helicopters had been shot down over Armenia near the border with a region belonging to Azerbaijan, killing two crew members and injuring another.

The ministry explained that the horrific mistake occurred due to the fact that the helicopter flew in close proximity to the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, where active military clashes between the two countries continue over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, state-run RT reported.

With the overall tense situation in the area and increased combat readiness due to “possible provocations of the Armenian side,” the defense crew on duty decided to open fire to kill, Baku clarified.

“The Azerbaijani side apologises to the Russian side in connection with this tragic incident, which is an accident by nature and was not directed against the Russian side,” RT quoted the Azerbaijan's officials as saying.

Azerbaijan also mentioned that it’s ready to pay compensation in connection with the incident. Russia’s Defence Ministry said earlier on Monday that one of its Mi-24 helicopters had been shot down over Armenia near the border with a region belonging to Azerbaijan, killing two crew members and injuring another.