Azerbaijan has admitted that the Russian Mi-24 helicopter was downed in the territory of Armenia ‘by accident’, RIA Novosti reported, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan.

Urgent statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan:

“The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan received information from the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation that on November 9 at 18:30 the Mi-24 military helicopter of the Russian Federation was shot down in the Nakhchivan sector on the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border.

In this regard, it is necessary to emphasize the following:

- the helicopter flew right near the Armenian-Azerbaijani border when active military clashes continue in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict zone;

- the flight was carried out late in the evening, at a low altitude, beyond the zone of air defense radar detection;

- the helicopters of the Russian military air forces were not spotted in the mentioned area.

The Azerbaijani party apologizes to the Russian party for the tragic incident which was by accident and is not targeted against the Russian party.

The Azerbaijani party expresses its deep condolences to the families of the deceased pilots and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.

The Azerbaijani party declares that it is willing to pay relevant compensation.”