Russian President Vladimir Putin called for a 'transparent' probe into the crash after apologizing to Azerbaijan during a phone call with President Aliyev.

Putin apologized to Azerbaijan over the 'tragic incident' of the downed plane.

Putin called for a 'transparent' probe into the crash.

Russian air defense was operating in Grozny on Dec. 25 when the plane tried to land.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that the Azerbaijani civil plane was damaged from the outside, on the territory of Russia, near the city of Grozny, practically becoming uncontrollable, and was rendered uncontrollable by electronic warfare.

The tail part of the plane was also badly damaged as a result of the strike executed from the ground.

Attempts to deny the obvious fact or to cover it up are 'both absurd and stupid'.

The fuselage was full of holes, completely dismissing the version of a collision with a flock of birds.

The Russian side completely rejected the version promoted by some Russian agencies about a gas cylinder blast on board.

Russian officials put forward versions about the explosion of some gas cylinder, showing that the Russian side seeks to hush up the issue.

The Russian side must admit its guilt and apologize to Azerbaijan.

The pilots showed professionalism and heroism by operating a rogue plane and landing it despite knowing they likely would not survive, resulting in survivors and a clear statement that the plane was shot down by Russia.